Following multiple finalist nominations in this year’s industry awards, RES. Business IT has another result to celebrate, with Managing Director Ben Hopper named Role Model of the Year at the 2026 CRN Channel Awards Australia.
The award recognises IT professionals who demonstrate strong leadership, support the people around them and help create an environment where teams can grow and thrive.
For RES, the recognition reflects an approach to leadership that is embedded in the way the business operates. Ben leads with a strong commitment to RES, its customers and its people, with a focus on clear expectations, shared ownership and creating opportunities for others to develop.
Ben joined RES in 2012 as a Systems Administrator and progressed through engineering, project delivery, architecture and director roles before becoming Managing Director in 2021. His experience across different areas of the business continues to shape a practical, people-focused approach to leadership.
Ben sees the award as a reflection of the people around him and the culture the team has built together at RES.
“I’ve always been happy to share what I know, help where I can and back good people. A big part of what I enjoy is working with a high-trust, capable team and creating the conditions for people to contribute, grow and make things happen. In many ways, this award feels like a reflection of that team and environment as much as anything I’ve done individually,” Ben said.
The award recognises both Ben’s contribution to RES and the culture he has helped shape – one built around trust, accountability and giving people the opportunity to do their best work.
View all the winners from the 2026 CRN Channel Awards Australia.
