Communications expert and founder of Wings Public Relations Deanna Nott has been named Women Chiefs of Enterprises International Queensland Entrepreneur of the Year. Nott, who is also the longest serving Public Affairs Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and part of a new generation of executives helping to shape communications for Australia’s defence industry, was presented the prestigious award by Queensland business icon Lorraine Martin AO.
Founder of Lorraine Martin Business Colleges in the 1980s, Martin is one of Queensland’s most successful businesswomen, having sat on over 30 committees and boards and honoured with more than 15 state, national and international awards.
“When I think of inspiration, I think of Lorraine. She has been such an amazing mentor and I am deeply grateful that she has spent so much of her valuable time with me over the past 15 years,” said Nott. “To be awarded Entrepreneur of the Year for my work in support of Australia’s defence industry is truly one of the greatest honours.”
The recognition completes a quartet of recent honours for the Queensland-based public relations specialist and former journalist, who in September won the Australian Defence Industry Award for Marketing/Communications Professional of the Year and was named a Finalist in both the National Women in Defence Awards and the Gold Coast Women in Business Awards.
The mother of two said being recognised by Women Chiefs of Enterprises International was a career highlight, especially given she only launched Wings Public Relations in 2016. “While we service a wide range of clients in various industries, Wings PR fills a unique niche – the communications gap that I identified in the Defence, space and technology industries,” said Nott, who is proudly supported by her husband Patric, a Qantas International pilot and Air Force veteran. “Since launching six years ago we have serviced many leading Australian and international businesses and organisations. Many industry professionals told me that it wouldn’t be possible to achieve my goals outside of Australia’s capital cities and I am pleased to have proven them wrong. Our team is working with clients across Australia and around the world. A great accomplishment has been undertaking the vast majority of my work from right here on the Gold Coast.”
Nott, who is supported by an exceptional team of experienced staff and skilled contractors, said securing the public relations and communications contract to promote Pacific Airshow Gold Coast following a highly competitive process was a significant achievement.
“I can’t wait to see my client Kevin Elliott’s vision come to life in Surfers Paradise next August,” said Nott, who was promoted to Wing Commander in the Air Force in 2021. “When I see thousands of eyes focused skyward, marvelling at the aerobatic performances of some of the world’s greatest aviators, I will be truly overjoyed.”
In addition to her Air Force Reserve duties, Nott sits on the national board of the Air Force Association and is responsible for developing the Association’s strategic communication strategy and implementing innovative changes on how it communicates with veterans and the wider community. She is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Australia.
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