This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on June 13, 2016.

MONTE CARLO (Monaco): Manny Stul, chairman and co-chief executive officer (CEO) of family-owned toy company Moose Enterprise Pty Ltd, the fourth-largest toy brand in Australia by sales, was named this year’s EY World Entrepreneur of the Year (EoY) at its annual gala dinner and awards ceremony on Saturday here, fighting off fierce competition from 54 other country winners from 50 countries.

Representing Malaysia was Iris Corp Bhd group managing director and CEO Datuk Tan Say Jim, who won the title of 2015 Malaysian EY EoY and went on to compete for the World EoY 2016 title.

“Our unanimous decision was reached after long and tough deliberations. Manny was our choice, not only due to his impressive growth, but also because the business he has nurtured has shown sustained global success,” Rebecca MacDonald, chair of the World EoY judging panel, said in a statement.

“His mettle was tested when Moose faced a product recall that would have overcome less resilient and well-managed businesses.

“All of our finalists were worthy winners and demonstrated so many qualities that we were looking for, including an ability to respond to disruption. However, it was Manny who impressed us most across our diverse judging criteria,” added MacDonald, founder and executive chair of Just Energy Group.

Moose is behind toys such as Shopkins and Little Live Pets. Stul shares the company’s ownership with his wife and Moose director, Jacqui Tobias, and stepson and co-CEO Paul Solomon.

According to EY, Stul took over Moose in 2000, then a small toy company with 10 employees, having already founded and built Skansen Giftware, which was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1993. In his 16 years running Moose, Stul has increased sales by 7,200% and built a global business that is now the fourth-largest toy company in Australia and, by sales, the sixth largest in the United States.

When accepting the award, Stul, the son of Polish war refugees, appealed to entrepreneurs to give to charity.

“You know better than the government what to do with your money. Do something positive,” he said.

“Moose Enterprise has a very clear purpose at its heart that has guided the company’s outstanding growth. It’s the ability to combine this purpose with innovation, integrity, determination and grit that makes Manny a truly worthy EY World EoY winner,” EY global chairman and CEO Mark Weinberger said.