By SAM BUTLER
Ryan McCracken, founder and managing director of McCracken’s Real Ale in Portadown, one of Northern Ireland’s leading craft brewers, has been named as a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2022.
He is among founders, innovators and entrepreneurs from across the UK who have been recognised as the best in the business in the prestigious awards.
Ryan, who formed the brewery and recently invested in a significant expansion to increase volume in line with the growing demand for his original brews, says: “I am delighted to have won this important recognition that will help increase awareness of our beers in Britain, a key export market for us.”
He established the brewery in 2014 and has gone on to enjoy great success here and outside Northern Ireland.
Business leaders across eight regions have been shortlisted out of over 5,300 entrants nationally – the most the awards has ever had.
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, acknowledges and champions the hard work and uplifting stories of business owners across the UK, with an emphasis on their journey and resilience over financial achievements.
Twelve awards will be given out per region for categories including Disruptor of the Year, Entrepreneur for Good Award, and the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year.
Notable winners from previous years include Social Chain founder Steven Bartlett, who went on to become the youngest ever investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.
This year’s awards will also feature a brand new award highlighting the organisations investing in the training and development of young people.
The John Caudwell Blaze Your Own Trail Award looks to recognise outstanding examples of businesses offering apprenticeships, vocational training, and diversity and inclusion initiatives, all in the name of improving young people’s access to work.
The winners will be announced at a Grand Final to be held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on November 21.
This year marks a decade of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and, over the years, the ever-growing network of alumni has collectively turned over £30 billion and employed around 450,000 people.
To mark the milestone year for the programme, entrants will have the chance to win over £30,000 worth of marketing support and a tree will be planted for every application submitted with the support of Ecologi.
Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said the quality of this year’s entrants exemplified the strength of entrepreneurship across the UK
“The quality of entries is consistently excellent year on year, but we have been especially blown away by the innovation, drive and determination demonstrated in the applications this year.
“Shortlisting from so many inspiring contenders has been more challenging than ever, with many deserving cases put forward and an ever-growing business community thriving across the region.”
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