Founders, innovators and entrepreneurs from across Wales have been recognised as the best in the business as the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2022 finalists are announced.

69 Wales-based business leaders 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, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 21st November.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. The alumni has collectively generated over £30 billion in revenue and employed more than 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 in Wales: “The quality coming from Wales 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.

“From the pandemic to the ongoing cost of living crisis, business owners haven’t had it easy over the past few years, but it’s a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of these entrepreneurs that they have continued on their path and refused to give in.

“This year’s Welsh finalists should be so proud of what they’ve already achieved both in business and in being shortlisted for an award – we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the Finals and unveiling the winners!”

Anne Boden MBE, Founder of Starling Bank, headline partner of the Awards, said: “Congratulations to all those businesses who have made the shortlist. It’s great to see the passion, resilience and amazing ingenuity from entrepreneurs across so many categories.”

To book your place at the Grand Final in London on 21st November, you can go to greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com

The Wales 2022 Finalists are:

Creative Entrepreneur of the Year

Adventure Visuals – Steven Bollschweiler
Cardiff International Film Festival – Rahil Abbas
craftcourses – Kate Dewmartin
Do Digital Agency – Darren Crockett
Esports Wales – John Jackson
Glosters – Myfanwy & Tom Gloster

Disruptor of the Year powered by Vodafone Business

Consumer Insights Lab – Abbie Lawrence
de Novo Solutions – Mark Sweeny
GS Verde Group – Nigel Greenaway
Sanctuary Financial Planning – Gareth Shears & Shane Hyland
See No Bounds – Charlott & Jamie McAnsh
SwatchEditor – Roseanna Jiggins

Entrepreneur for Good Award

Anglesey Sea Zoo & Marine Resource Centre – Frankie Hobro
Enbarr Foundation CIC – Vicki Roskams
LABRATS CIC – Alan Owen
Mums/Moms In Business International – Leona Burton
One Million Steps – Ranjit Ghoshal
The HOW People – Jo Watkins, Polly Crook

Family Business Entrepreneur of the Year

Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding – Sian Smith
Moose & Co – Jonathan & Craig Baker
Out of Sync – Megan Lewis, Katie Lewis & Jackie Lewis
See No Bounds – Charlott & Jamie McAnsh
Tiafi Jewellery – Emma-Kate Francis & Dylan James
YourNorth – Kelly & Jamie Farr

Food & Drink Entrepreneur of the Year

Cora – Lee Skeet
Cuffed-in Coffee – Kristian Cuffin
Lobster & Môr – Danny Curtis
Roadhouse Whitland – Jonathan Davies
SO Coffee – Scott Otten
The Fungtional Brew Company – Zoey Henderson

Health & Beauty Entrepreneur of the Year

Anaphase Store – Carly Thompsett
Elysian Coaching – Sian Golding
House of Curls UK – Claire Pledger
KCM Fitness – Katie Clement McCreesh
THE BRONZING BAR – Catherine Griffin
Wild Beauty – Robert Newborough

Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year powered by Salesforce

KC Accountancy Services – Kim Cleminson-Jones
GS Verde Group – Nigel Greenaway
Net World Sports – Alex Lovén

Service Industries Entrepreneur of the Year

Adventure Tours UK – Claire Copeman
Alliance Marketing Agency – Gareth Waters
Candour Talent – Matthew Burkitt
Inspired Business Media – Jason Awatar & Leigh Hussain
Odyssey – Dominic Bonaker, Josh Richards, Craig Williams, Jack Williams & Cinzia Appetecchia
Seriously Stylish Business – Nicola Wilkes

Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year powered by Aston Lark

de Novo Solutions – Mark Sweeny
Fine Rolling Media – Kris Kane
LCVA Services – Lora Payne
Limb-art – Mark Williams
Ready Made Stores – Anthony Phillips
Web Marketer – Louis Halton Davies

Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year powered by Mail Metro Mail Ad Manager

2B Enterprising – Jayne Brewer, Sue Poole & Mark Hindmarsh
Configur – Marco Oliver & Josh Evans
Cynefn – Laura Hickman Sell
LimestoneGrey – Matthew Jones
The Boho Parasol Hut – Rachel Meredith
The Fungtional Brew Company – Zoey Henderson

Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year

Equal=ibrium – Angela Moreton
Fleet-e – Jarrad Morris
Green Sea Guard – Anita Bradshaw & Henrik Blicher Hansen
HUNA – Ffion Boyesen & Bella Mossman
iConsult Technical – Samantha Davies
Onesta – Gabriella Diana

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Aura Ads – Ryan Walton
Bahaar Kitchen UK – Fozan Ghalib & Meh Jabeen Moghal
Clothing View – Evan Sellick
COBRA Music Studios – Jordan Day-Williams
Maid To Help Commercial Cleaning Specialists – Samantha Howells
WCS Agency – Chelsea O’Driscoll