Blackburne Property Group managing director Paul Blackburne has been named this year’s Business News 40under40 First Amongst Equals, ahead of a talented and diverse field of candidates.

Hundreds of Perth’s top business and community leaders marked the awards’ 15th year, celebrating the 40under40 class of 2016 in style at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre last night.

Mr Blackburne’s company has $500 million worth of projects under development, or about 1,000 apartments.

He’s a passionate believer in urban density. In 2014, Mr Blackburne predicted that Perth would need a further 1 million extra apartments within his lifetime.

That was because only 15 per cent of Western Australians lived in apartments, compared with 40 per cent in Sydney and Melbourne.

Other names to feature among this year’s 40under40 winners include Environment Minister Albert Jacob, Fringe World festival director Amber Hasler, and fashion designer Betty Tran.

Category winners included Courtney Lakstins in professional services, Claire Negus as an intrapreneur, Richard Young in family business, and Jamie Davison in small business.

It’s the second recent gong for Ms Negus, who won the Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s Outstanding Woman in Resources award last week.

The City of Perth strategic alliance award went to Guys Grooming cofounder Leycester Cory.

There five finalists for the First Amongst Equals (including Mr Blackburne): Margaret River Hospitality Group managing director Anthony Janssen; Jade Lewis and Friends chief executive Jade Lewis; Fair Game Australia founder John van Bockxmeer; and AusAsia Resources managing director Esther Oh.

Mr Van Bockxmere won the category award for inspiring possibilities.

Blackburne’s journey

Before starting his business, Mr Blackburne travelled the world, visiting 150 cities in five years, an experience he said gave him numerous design ideas.

He’s additionally been involved in charity work, helping establish a child protection unit in Cambodia. Mr Blackburne spoke to Business News reporter Dan Wilkie about his business empire as part of our 40under40 feature.

You can check that out, and stories about all of our winners, on Monday.