Finnebrogue Chief named Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 by Grocer

Denis Lynn, chairman of Northern Ireland’s Finnebrogue Artisan, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 in the influential Grocer Gold Awards.

Mr Lynn is the driving force in market leading innovations such as Finnebrogue’s revolutionary nitrite-free bacon, ham and pork sausages and the development of plant based foods.

For 16 years, The Grocer Gold Awards have been a symbol of quality and excellence in the FMCG sector. There are 20 categories, focusing on key business areas such as innovation and customer satisfaction. The awards provide a platform for recognition for all – whether a large multiple supplier or independent operator.

Two other Northern Ireland companies – Mash Direct from Comber and food wholesaler Henderson Group in Newtownabbey – were shortlisted in the prestigious awards.

Finnebrogue Artisan, which is based in a state-of-the-art production complex near Downpatrick in county Down, is part of Lynn’s Country Foods which was formed by Mr Lynn in 1985. The company also recently announced plans to develop a £25 million factory for plant-based foods.

The business, which employs around 500 people, has become a UK leader in sausages especially pork for supermarkets especially Marks and Spencer. It is also a leader in flexitarian foods.

Finnebrogue Artisan, under his leadership, is a customer-focused business that’s geared to respond quickly and effectively to the requirements of retailers and the wider marketplace. It also works closely with leading retailers on the creation of innovative foods for customers in the UK and Ireland.

The innovation-led business has won a series of major national awards for its products.