Media Release - 1 June 2008
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Catherine Gardiner
National marketing manager, Ernst & Young
+64 27 489 9768
Gemma Ross
nbpr
+64 27 591 7050
gross@nbpr.co.nz
2008 Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year announced in Monte Carlo
A biotechnology pioneer from Switzerland has been named the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year for 2008
Ashley Berrysmith represented New Zealand at the prestigious awards in Monte Carlo
Dr Jean-Paul Clozel, founder of Switzerland’s Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, has been named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year for 2008.
Founded in 1997, Actelion is a leader in the development of small-molecule drugs for the treatment of pulmonary disease, and its products have improved the lives of patients worldwide.
Ashley Berrysmith, founder of NZ Fresh Cuts and representing New Zealand, was one of 48 business leaders from 43 companies at the Awards. All have won national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year titles and were in Monte Carlo representing their countries in the world’s most prestigious global business award.
Ashley’s technical knowledge, gained from a university degree in horticulture, combined with his natural passion, saw him found NZ Fresh Cuts and create an extensive range of healthy, fresh, convenient produce items.
Ashley has been in Monte Carlo for the past week, meeting the international independent panel of seven judges that included former Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year winners.
Jon Hooper, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Award Director for New Zealand, commented from Monte Carlo on Dr Clozel winning the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award: “Dr Clozel is a deserving winner. He demonstrated all the qualities of leadership, vision and business acumen one would expect as a world business leader."
Ashley commented that all of the 47 other finalists were impressive business minds and powerful influencers in the global business environment.
"Attending the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Monte Carlo has been a unique experience and beyond my expectations. The opportunity to network with some incredible business leaders from all over the world has been invaluable both in terms of sharing ideas, gaining insight and inspiration.
"I am delighted for Dr Clozel and congratulate him on his win. Before I flew out to Monte Carlo I was provided with profiles on each of the country winners and even in these the strengths and the achievements that Dr Clozel has accomplished in his career came out strongly. However, when you meet him the X factor is overwhelming. This win is well deserved."
Today, NZ Fresh Cuts has a number of brands and salad and vegetable based product divisions - including Farmer Bill’s, Krispkut, SproutMan, Salad Shakes, Sun Sprout and New Hemisphere Limited with a strong presence in supermarkets nationwide and globally.
NZ Fresh Cuts is now in the next phase of its development with the introduction of formal governance protocols that have been put in place to enable research and development and future growth both in New Zealand and in select overseas markets.
Entries are now open for New Zealand’ s 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year, which will be announced at an award banquet on 23 October 2008.
Potential entrants can register their interest at www.ey.com/nz. Alternatively, they can contact Ernst & Young for more information on 0800 368 737, or by email on entrepreneur@nz.ey.com. Applications close on 11 July 2008.
ENDS
About NZ Fresh Cuts
Ashley Berrysmith
Governing Director
New Zealand Fresh Cuts Limited
Along the way he had to change attitudes and regroup after setbacks. Starting with alfalfa and mung beans, he has parlayed his passion into a series of businesses that produce over 50.2 million servings of fresh greens and other vegetable products each year.
Over the last 3 years employees have doubled and a commitment to innovation has seen new products delivered to supermarket shelves and ultimately the consumer every year. The use of global best practice in controlled farming combined with the latest technology in processing and packaging, ensure total freshness and nutritional content in all his offerings.
While his main focus of activity has been New Zealand, he has also been exporting specific products and intellectual property to key markets overseas, providing a base for expansion in those countries and the opportunity to enter new markets with proven products.
New Zealand Fresh Cuts Limited, like all companies in a fast paced and demanding 24/7 environment can’t afford to stand still. Organizational change to support sustainable growth and profitability has been undertaken to ensure that the core strength of its brand - innovation - is not compromised but continues to thrive and deliver new fresh healthy fast food options to consumers.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve potential.
For more information, please visit www.ey.com/nz
About Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognising them through regional, national and global awards programmes in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.