The aircraft maintenance service was honoured with the Excellence in Business Award, while CEO Matt Wheatley was judged to be the top Business Leader, leading to them lifting the top gong, Regional Business of the Year.

In 2001 the Central West born Mr Wheatley moved to Tamworth to take up an apprenticeship with QantasLink, often working out of Hangar 7. Ten years later, after spending several years in Europe with some of the biggest names in air travel, he returned to where it all began, taking over Sigma Aerospace in Hangar 7 in 2011. At that time the company employed 15-20 people, but just six years later they are flying, employing over 90 staff and winning national tenders as they continue to grow exponentially to cement their name as one of the top maintenance centres in the industry.

“It was fantastic to get the business nominated for the awards – we have never really done anything like that before,” Mr Wheatley said.

“We have been working hard on developing the right culture, providing the right jobs and growing the profile of the airport and of Tamworth.

“A business is only as strong as the people that work for it – if we win it will be because they always put in such a great effort.” 

With the triple award now under their belt, it will be back to business as usual for the Sigma crew and their boss, but only after a night of celebration.