Mr Brakenridge has been chief executive of New Zealand Merino, an integrated fine wool sales and marketing company, since it was established in 1996.
Today, it has turnover of $115 million and 51% of the wool it handles is sold under direct supply contracts to end users.
Under his leadership, New Zealand Merino (NZM) has become a template for the strong wool and meat sectors, which are looking for alternative ways to do business.
He said the award recognised the innovation and courage of the farmers who wanted to change the traditional wool selling model, a move which has boosted the value of wool returned to producers by between $10 million and $15 million a year.
"The award recognises the 700 high country farmers that dared to be different in the way they take their product to market," he said.
Mr Brakenridge introduced a business model of developing relationships between producers and end users, along with product innovation.
For wool sold by auction, NZM took the bold step of shifting its selling through the Melbourne exchange, with the view that it would be exposed to more buyers.
The net effect of these strategies has been to place a floor under fine wool prices and to have markets for virtually all fine wool.
Their brand relationships include a who's whom of global clothing and fabric producers: SmartWool, Ibex, John Smedley, Sudwolle, Loro Piana, Reda, Nikke, Icebreaker, Mokopuna and Designer Textiles.
Earlier this year, Mr Brakenridge identified that wool was just one source of sheep income and NZM has embarked on a $36 million five-year project in association with the Government's primary growth partnership scheme to improve sheep income using science, technology and innovative global marketing.
In addition to Mr Brakenridge's win, NZM was a finalist in the best business operating internationally over $50 million, and the most innovative approach to international business categories.