EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™

Entrepreneur Of The Year™ UK has been celebrating, supporting and connecting entrepreneurs since it first launched in the UK over 20 years ago.

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How UK entrepreneurs are proving to be unstoppable

Lynn Rattigan 9 Sep 2021
Men walking At Bow lake, Canada

 

Congratulations to the unstoppable entrepreneurs reframing our future 

This year's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2021 UK finalists are some of the UK's most inspiring business leaders, who are making a positive impact on the economy.
 

Meet them now

 

Humanity is capable of great things. But to build something of long-term value takes grit, persistence and a sense of ambition that’s free of doubt or fear. It takes a special kind of leader to ignore the critics and transform a blue-sky dream into a new reality that contributes value and purpose beyond simple profits.

Entrepreneurs are an essential part of the business community, contributing fresh and innovative ideas and making a positive impact on the economy. They identify challenges and actively address and resolve them, bringing new ideas and solutions to the world. Their relentless drive creates opportunities through new concepts, products and jobs, helping economies across the world to develop and thrive.

In the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme, we call these entrepreneurs the unstoppables – the inspirational individuals whose unbounded ambition delivers the innovation, growth and prosperity that transform our world. And today, as we prepare for life after the COVID-19 pandemic, the contributions of such entrepreneurs are more important than ever. The dynamism and innovative thinking they provide, while scaling-up, will be essential to the recovery, creating opportunities and jobs that will help to build the foundations of a rejuvenated economy with a renewed focus on sustainable growth.

In the exceptional circumstances we’ve seen over the past year, it’s been noticeable that many entrepreneurial companies around the country have flourished. They’re the ones who have shown the agility and imagination to adapt to the situation and find new solutions that have helped to keep the economy afloat.
Lynn Rattigan
Entrepreneur Of The Year™ UK Partner Sponsor

  • About the programme

    The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme was established more than 30 years ago and today operates in more than 60 countries and 145 cities around the world.

    EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK runs in four regions – London & South East, Midlands & South West, North, and Scotland. Entrants compete in their regional programme based on their business’ main location. The UK programme is more than a business award – it’s part of a global programme which helps entrepreneurial businesses around the world.  

    By participating, entrepreneurs can connect with their peers, access relevant insights to help navigate their growth journey and raise the profile of their companies and teams. The UK winner then competes for the prestigious EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award. 

    It has never been more important to recognise and celebrate the achievements of unstoppable entrepreneurs. That’s what the Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme has done since it first launched. Our commitment to entrepreneurial companies, in both emerging and developed economies around the world, means that we’re working with tomorrow’s global leaders, today.

  • Why join the programme

    Clare Roberts, who chaired the North judging panel in 2020 and is a member of the alumni community, emphasises that Entrepreneur Of The Year™ isn’t just a awards led event, but an experience: 

    It is great to have the opportunity to reflect on your own journey and success and to raise your company’s profile along the way, while meeting many like-minded people with whom you can build relationships.

    Through the Entrepreneur Of The Year™ programme, we are always looking to recognise and celebrate talented individuals. We encourage all entrepreneurs who have a vision that could transform our world to nominate themselves by the 16th April. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to be involved in a unique experience.

    Learn more about the key dates and what our judges are looking for here.

Testimonials

Mohsin and Zuber Issa EG Group 2018 Overall category winners

Ben Francis 
2020 Overall winner

“I think it's more important now than ever that people are pushing, starting new businesses and trying new things. I’m proud and humbled to be the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 UK winner at what is an incredibly exciting time for Gymshark."

Chris Hulatt & Simon Rogerson, Octopus Group, 2017 UK overall winner

Darina Garland and Kristian Tapaninaho, Ooni Pizza Ovens
One To Watch 2020 UK winners

“Getting the chance to present your vision on a UK and potentially a world stage is incredible.”

Andy Lothian, CEO, Insights Learning and Development, Scotland overall winner 2016

Steve Jackson OBE DL, Recycling Lives
2019 UK overall winner 

“The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme is a great opportunity not only to showcase you and your achievements, but also provides an excellent platform to promote everything your business stands for.”

Watch EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ and the inspiring stories and ambitious visions of the Class of 2021. 
Watch on demand

Learn more 

Here’s to the unstoppable entrepreneurs creating a better world.

Founded and produced by
ey-logo
Headline Sponsor 
ey-logo
The culture of entrepreneurialism that has existed since Victorian times is one of the things that makes the UK economy unique. Today, as the nation prepares to come out of lockdown, we expect to see entrepreneurs at the forefront of meeting the challenges of restarting the economy. As Headline Sponsor of Entrepreneur Of The Year 2021 UK, we look forward to celebrating the stories of some of these remarkable individuals and their achievements.
David Durlacher
CEO, UK & Ireland at Julius Baer

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