Geelong Cats chief executive Brian Cook has been awarded the Business Leader of the Year presented by Bay 93.9 Geelong at the Geelong Business Excellence Awards on Thursday.

With the event taking place virtually, Cook accepted the award from the Cats’ Southport hub.

In presenting Cook with the award, the judges said:

“The judges were very impressed with Brian not only from his involvement with The Geelong Football Club, but also his work with Barwon Health, Adjunct Professor with Deakin University on leadership, Patron of Wombat's Wish, Director of the Slade Group and mentor with Male Champions of Change.”

“Even with a busy work schedule, Brian currently mentors 6 people. His work with the football community in relation to values-based organisation, ethical leadership and the support in the area of inclusiveness is second to none and definitely worthy of the awards he has been provided so far.”

As part of Cook’s prize for the award, a $5000 advertising package with Bay 93.9 Geelong, was donated to Wombat’s Wish, a charity very near to Cook’s heart that helps bereaving families.

A replay of the awards and Cook’s acceptance speech can be viewed here.