After nine years on the Hunter Manufacturing Awards Board, including the past three as Chair, it is time for me to hand the baton to the next leader.
Serving this industry has been both a privilege and a genuine joy.
Over the past decade I have had the opportunity to visit extraordinary manufacturing facilities, witness world-class processes being delivered right here in our region, and build friendships with people who are deeply committed to making things better and making things here. I am incredibly proud to have played a small part in supporting and celebrating that work.
There have been many highlights.
Our 20th Anniversary year stands out, not just as a milestone event, but as a powerful reminder of how far the Awards have come and the impact they have across the Hunter and beyond.
We established the HMA Hall of Fame to recognise those whose contribution to manufacturing extends well beyond a single year. Welcoming Joss De Iuliis in 2024 and Varley Group in 2025 as inaugural inductees was a proud moment and a fitting acknowledgement of legacy, leadership and long-term commitment to our sector.
We formed a national media partnership with Industry Update, expanding the reach of our winners and finalists across Australia. We also created a pathway to fast-track our regional winners directly into the National Manufacturing Awards, ensuring Hunter excellence is recognised on the national stage.
Behind the scenes, we focused on digital transformation, introducing Award Force to simplify and streamline the application process and make it easier for manufacturers to enter. That work, combined with a strong board and community effort, contributed to significant growth. In 2025 alone, we saw attendance and applications grow by more than 100 percent.
And perhaps my favourite part of all is the energy in the room on Awards night. The pride. The buzz. The sense of shared achievement. I have seen firsthand the confidence and momentum that recognition can give an organisation, and it is something truly special to witness.
As I step away from the Chair role, I do so knowing the Board is in exceptional hands. We are fortunate to have long-standing board members who bring continuity and wisdom, alongside new energy and perspectives.
A warm welcome to Crystal, Jeff, Marnie and Andrew, and to our Rising Star, Brandon.
And of course, congratulations to our new Chair, Chris Kelleher.
Chris is no newcomer to HMA. He has served as an esteemed judge for 13 years and understands deeply what makes these Awards meaningful. I have known Chris for close to a decade, and I genuinely believe he is the right person to lead HMA into its next chapter.
As for me, I am not stepping away from the industry. Manufacturing remains close to my heart. I am simply turning my focus toward building something new, something I hope will create value for manufacturers and marketers alike.
One day, I hope we all will be able to brag about it.
For now, it is simply time to say thank you.
Thank you to my fellow board members and team, past and present. Thank you to our sponsors and partners. And most importantly, thank you to the manufacturers who continue to show up, innovate, employ, export and lead.
The Hunter makes incredible things, and HMA will continue to celebrate that.
Best wishes for the year ahead.
I look forward to seeing you at the next event.
Jacqui Daley
The Hunter Manufacturing Awards (HMA) has today announced a significant leadership transition following its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 18 March 2026, with outgoing Chair Jacqui Daley concluding her tenure after nine years on the Board, including the past three as Chair.
Jacqui Daley, Founder, Managing Director & CMO at The Measured Marketer, reflected on her time at HMA as a period of growth and transformation, and expressed great admiration for the region’s manufacturing capability and excellence.
“Serving as Chair of the Hunter Manufacturing Awards has been a genuine privilege. I have continually been inspired by the passion, ingenuity, and resilience of the people and organisations who are vital to Australia’s economic future. Our region’s manufacturers are world-class innovators, problem‑solvers, and community builders. It has been an honour to shine a light on their achievements,” commented Ms. Daley.
Under Jacqui’s leadership, the HMA Board delivered several significant achievements — from launching the HMA Hall of Fame to strengthening national visibility for the region’s manufacturers. The organisation formed a national media partnership with Industry Update in 2025, expanding the reach of its winners and finalists across Australia. It also created a pathway to fast-track regional winners directly into the National Manufacturing Awards, ensuring regional manufacturing excellence is recognised on the national stage. 2025 was also a record-breaking year for the Awards, with entries up more than 50% on the previous year and the largest-ever Gala Night attendance, reflecting both the strength of the sector and the benefits of the Awards as it enters its 22nd year.
Ms. Daley said she leaves the role buoyed with confidence in the organisation’s future.
“As I hand the baton over, I do so knowing that the organisation is in exceptional hands under the leadership of incoming Chair Chris Kelleher, and that HMA will continue to grow, evolve, and celebrate the incredibly talented people and businesses shaping the future of our region. We are fortunate to have long‑standing Board Members who bring continuity and wisdom, alongside fresh energy and new perspectives from five new additions to the Board in 2026, representing a diverse cross‑section of experience.
I am deeply grateful to the Board, our partners, sponsors, and the wider manufacturing community for their unwavering support throughout my tenure. I leave with immense pride in what we’ve achieved together and with great admiration for the remarkable talent across our region. Whilst I am no longer a Board Member, I will always continue to support the Awards and advocate for the strength and vital importance of our region’s manufacturing industry,” added Ms. Daley.
Incoming Chair: Chris Kelleher
Chris Kelleher, General Manager at Myo Munchee Operations, steps into the role of Chair following 13 years of experience as an HMA judge and a deep understanding of what makes the Awards significant to manufacturers across the region. His extensive involvement with the Awards and manufacturing leadership positions him well to lead HMA into its next stage of growth.
Commenting on his appointment as HMA Chair, Mr. Kelleher said, “I’m honoured to take on the role of Chair and continue the important work of celebrating and elevating manufacturing excellence across the Hunter, Central Coast, New England and Mid-North Coast regions. Manufacturing is a critical driver of economic strength and future prosperity, and this region is home to some of the most innovative, creative, and forward‑thinking businesses in Australia. I’m excited to advocate for and champion this great industry through connection, education, and celebration on both a regional and national stage.”
Chris Kelleher brings extensive executive, governance, and industry experience to the role of Chair. He has held senior positions, including Chief Executive Officer, General Manager, and Business Development Manager, across manufacturing, professional services, research commercialisation, healthcare, and construction, with leadership roles at Mayne Health, The University of Newcastle, the Federal Government, and PKF Corporation. Chris is currently General Manager of Myo Munchee Operations, an Australian medical device manufacturer based in Carrington, NSW. He has also served on multiple boards, including the Chamber of Manufacturers, the inaugural Hunter Business Chamber (now Business Hunter), WEA Hunter, NEWMACQ Housing Co., Keystone Product Development, and Mineral Carbonation International. His deep understanding of the sector, combined with strong strategic, governance, and commercial capability, positions him exceptionally well to lead HMA into its next chapter.
New Board Appointments
In addition to the new Chair, Chris Kelleher, HMA has welcomed four new permanent Board members at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 18 March, together with a one-year term guest position for the winner of the previous year’s Rising Star Award.
These appointments strengthen the Board’s expertise across advanced technology, manufacturing leadership, intellectual property strategy, marketing and communication, and emerging talent. The full list of Board Members can be found here.
“I want to acknowledge and recognise the outstanding leadership of outgoing Chair Jacqui Daley, whose dedication and vision have strengthened HMA and helped elevate the profile of our region’s manufacturers. I look forward to working with the Board, our partners, and the wider manufacturing community to build on the strong foundations already in place and to help drive even greater visibility, pride, and opportunity for our sector,” added Mr. Kelleher.
The 2026 Awards program will be launched in May 2026.