Founders, innovators and entrepreneurs from across Wales have been recognised as the best in the business as the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2021 finalists are announced.

Despite a year of disruption, 81 Wales-based business leaders have been shortlisted out of an incredible 4,800 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 inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and businesses across the UK.

Over the last decade, it has celebrated some household names including Julie Deane OBE of Cambridge Satchel Co, Alan and Juliet Barratt of Grenade and Shaun Pulfrey of Tangle Teezer. Its most recent headline-grabbing success story is its previous winner Steven Bartlett, who in May was announced as the youngest ever Dragon on BBC’s Dragons Den.

The Regional Finals take place later this year, as the organisers monitor government restrictions on events in each area.

Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said the quality of this year’s entrants exemplified the strength of entrepreneurship in Wales: “Wales has produced some incredible finalists over the years, and this year is no exception. It really is one of the UK’s most promising regions, and the fact that so many exceptional people have applied during such a tough year, is a testament to the resolve and talent that exists across the area.

“As well as the recognition, our finalists and eventual winners will join our fantastic alumni community that supports each other all year round. From networking and thought leadership, right the way through to mentoring and guidance – being a part of our ecosystem of entrepreneurs can be incredibly rewarding.

“Creating the shortlist out of so many wonderful applications was incredibly tough, so I don’t envy the judges who will now decide the regional winners. Everyone who has been shortlisted should be incredibly proud and we’re thrilled to be able to showcase their achievements.”

Anne Boden MBE, Founder of Starling Bank, headline partner of the Awards, said: “In the unique circumstances we’ve seen over the past year, many entrepreneurs from every corner of the country have found ways to grow and to prosper. This year’s finalists are the ones who have shown the agility and imagination to adapt and we wish every one of them the best of luck.”

The Wales 2021 Finalists are:

Creative Industries Entrepreneur of the Year

Ryan Walton – Aura Ads (Visaura Ltd.)
Lowri Roberts – Casgliad
Jordan Day-Williams & Dean Richards – Cobra Music Studios
Jen Danger Harding – Danger Doodles
Oliver Williams – OLLYWOOD
Nicola Wilkes – Seriously Stylish Business

Disruptor of the Year

William Sachiti – Academy of Robotics
Philippe Mele – My Procurement
Jack James – Pontus Research Ltd.
Geryn Evans – Project Blu
Richard Prime & Damon Chapple – Sonovate
Damon Rands – Wolfberry Cyber

Entrepreneur for Good Award

Kate Dewmartin – Craft Courses
Vicki Roskams – Enbarr Foundation CIC
Harri Helvon-Hardy – FABRIC: The Care Leavers’ Community
Mark Williams – LIMB-Art
Stephen Hill & Harry Mills – Opendium
Jonathan Day – Wash Cycle

Entrepreneurial Spirit Award in partnership with Glen Scotia

Carly Thompsett – Anaphase Store
Jen Danger Harding – Danger Doodles
Adele Pember – Dog Furiendly
Pajtim Hasa – Lab22
Jane Baker – Limitless Living International
Brogan Doyle – Wishing Well Crystals

Family Business Entrepreneur of the Year

Monika Gyenes – Best of Hungary
Mike Richards – Cedar Tree Pods
Suzanne, Richard & Dominic Green – Dovecote
Ross Jones & Rachel Lyndon-Jones – Ouma
Jamie McAnsh & Charlott Fagergard – See No Bounds
Michael Pinocci & Nicholas Pinocci – V3 Apparel

Food & Drink Entrepreneur of the Year

Monika Gyenes – Best of Hungary
Suzanne, Richard & Dominic Green – Dovecote
Scott Davies – Hilltop
Emily Morgan – Tea by the Sea

Health & Wellbeing Entrepreneur of the Year

Zachariah Gould & Guy Last – Dr. Golf Global
Georgina James – GEEJ Coaching
Kate Morris-Bates – InsideOut Wellness
Kier Olsen – Olsen Fitness
Emily Morgan – Tea by the Sea
Benjamin & Marc Shipman – The GO2 Brand

Made in the UK Award in partnership with Make It British

Carly Thompsett – Anaphase Store
Callum Griffiths – Clydach Farm Group
Mark Williams – LIMB-Art
Gabriella Diana – Onesta

Pivot Entrepreneur of the Year

Jason Rawles – Aspire Leadership Academy
Michael Beck, Craig Lomax, Sean Thomas & Michael George – Reworking
Jamie McAnsh & Charlott Fagergard – See No Bounds
Jo Watkins & Polly Crook – The HOW People

Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year in partnership with Salesforce

Darren Briggs – Ascona Group Holdings Limited
Graham Ewart – Direct Healthcare Group
Philip Davies – FlyForm
Scott Davies – Hilltop

Services Industries Entrepreneur of the Year

Darren Briggs – Ascona Group Holdings
Adele Pember – Dog Furiendly
Guy Last – Guy Last Recruitment
Jack James – Pontus Research
Alison Ettridge – Stratigens
Jonathan Day – Wash Cycle

Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year

Callum Griffiths – Clydach Farm Group
Anthony Phillips – Ready Made Stores
Rhys King – RGifts
Laura Lewis – Squirrels Nest Treehouse Retreat Ltd & The Wanderlist Online Directory
Jessica Morgan & Daniel Morgan – Tiny Wizard Studio
Michael Pinocci & Nicholas Pinocci – V3 Apparel

Start-Up Entrepreneur of the Year

Claire Copeman – Adventure Tours UK
Bhupinder Sidhu – Business Butler
Lowri Roberts – Casgliad
Dominic Bonaker – Oydssey
Gary Piazzon – Porter
Chimebuka Okwuokenye – Recyclan

Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year in partnership with Funding Options

Gerwyn Holmes – Ecoslurps
Jane Fellner – Loopster
Gabriella Diana – Onesta
Geryn Evans – Project Blu
Kerry Mackay – ScrubbiesUK
Meghan Gane – SEY Cosmetics

Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Ryan Walton – Aura Ads (Visaura Ltd.)
Cameron Reardon – Bug Box
Evan Sellick – Clothing View
Joseph Ward – Smallspark Space Systems
Amy Price – Social Butterfly Marketing
Ben Keighley – Socially Recruited