The Supplier Diversity Awards has been a highlight of Supply Nation's annual Indigenous business event scene since first held 15 years ago.

Attendees at last week's 2024 ceremony on the lands of the Turrbal and Jagera peoples at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre celebrated 11 major category winners, including the night's major individual honouree, Amanda Inman.

The highly-skilled and widely-experienced Indigenous procurement expert now has seven years under her belt at international engineering and construction firm Laing O'Rourke's base on Whadjuk Country in Perth.

Ms Inman told National Indigenous Times 20-plus years working across the industry had equipped her with unique skills crucial to almost doubling Laing's social impact and procurement outcomes with Indigenous suppliers in 2023.

Dual recognition for Ms Inman as the 2024 Advocate of the Year and Dr Jean Jarrett Award for Outstanding Impact capped a night of honours for Laing O'Rourke.

Hosted by Supply Nation, the company scooped three of 11 categories, which recognise businesses, government agencies, no-for-profits and individuals who significantly enhance supplier diversity and the broader Indigenous business sector.

"I'm really proud of what has been achieved the past few years, building supplier diversity at Laing Rourke and more broadly across our industry," Ms Inman said.

A senior Indigenous affairs and social inclusion advisor at Laing for the past seven years, Ms Inman's 2023 success engaging Indigenous businesses was highlighted by Laing partnering 105 Supply Nation businesses, 81 per cent more than 2022.

She said she felt fortunate to have worked across a range of industries, including most recently across major WA infrastructure projects including METRONET, and helped negotiate several contracting models including joint ventures and alliances to enhance Aboriginal procurement and empowerment.

"I have been fortunate to have had a varied and rewarding career working in Aboriginal and stakeholder engagement across Perth and regional WA, including several major projects the past seven years at Laing O'Rourke," she said.

Ms Inman had led several initiatives to help maximise supplier diversity during her role at Laing O'Rourke.

"I am a people person at heart and I feel I have used my industry knowledge to help local Aboriginal businesses connect with our teams, access opportunities, and create settings where they feel supported to share their capabilities and growth plans," she said.

"Many businesses we have worked with have grown as a result of the opportunities we have helped facilitate.

"For me it's more than just passing on business details to a colleague, it's really a puzzle, and it's my role to fit the right pieces together."

Ms Inman felt it was important all stakeholders shared a collective vision if they wanted success in any partnership.

"It's crucial to have supportive clients, committed delivery teams and Indigenous businesses all connected with opportunities that align with their plans for growth," she said.

"There are many things within the sector that are not perfect, but I think in circumstances where we share a genuine commitment, we achieve results that benefit all parties."

Like many experienced Indigenous business advocates, Ms Inman felt the First Nations renewable energy sector could use more targeted funding to help open the plethora of opportunities in the decades ahead across remote Australia.

"I would really love to see broader discussion at state and federal government level around targeted support for Aboriginal businesses entering the renewable energy sector," she said.

"It's becoming a very big focus, and we must better unpack what opportunities this presents to broader Indigenous business growth, both now and in the future."

She also felt passionate about micro-businesses, saying the sector was often too focused on large opportunities and high-value targets, with smaller opportunities that could still change lives not taken.

"It's important not to lose sight of micro-businesses contribution to the sector and the value that this brings to families and their communities," Ms Inman said.

She said Supply Nation was an invaluable service to the industry and a starting point for anyone looking to engage First Nations businesses.

"I think government departments and industries should continue to use Supply Nation to connect with suppliers, but this should be the start of an ongoing conversation," she said.

"Businesses grow and evolve, and procurement needs change, so it's important for all stakeholders to keep conversations ongoing and purposeful."

Ms Inman last year developed Connect, Gather, Grow, a Laing engagement program based on providing key information sessions and in-depth learnings and workshops.

She said the program was designed to foster relationships and better connect with WA's Indigenous business cohort, with organisations gathering up to four times a year for a better grasp of Laing O'Rourke processes, pre-qualification requirements and specific and upcoming work opportunities.

"It's simple and low key, but we can see from the feedback that Connect, Gather, Grow is supporting Indigenous businesses to understand and be better prepared for opportunities," Ms Inman said.

"These awards are a team effort, and I am so proud of our leadership and project teams and the work they do every day to support Indigenous businesses."

Laing O'Rourke was also recognised as 2024 Corporate Member of the Year, which the company's head of Indigenous affairs Belinda Murdoch has led for several years.

Ryan Sims was also recognised for his work at Laing O'Rourke, awarded Procurement Professional of the Year.

"The support and feedback from industry and the Indigenous business sector has been so encouraging for us all," Ms Inman said.

"We have some exciting pursuits ahead at Laing O'Rourke across Australia and it has been exciting growing my connections and sharing ideas for the future."

See the full list of 2024 Supplier Diversity winners here.