Scots start-up boss scoops regional Great British Entrepreneur prize

The founder of a start-up that looks to help people improve their relationship with alcohol has been named Great British Entrepreneur of the Year for Scotland and Northern Ireland at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Fairbairns is now in the running for Great British Entrepreneur of the Year 2020. Picture: contributed.

Ruari Fairbairns is the creator and chief executive of Edinburgh-based One Year No Beer, a global alcohol prevention program inspired by his own journey.Fairbairns was also named Health & Wellbeing Entrepreneur of the Year for the region at the awards – which were held virtually.

He said he was thrilled to have won both, adding: “This has been such a tough year for so many people following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. With so many turning to alcohol to manage their symptoms of stress and anxiety, it has never been more important for us to continue on our mission to help people change their relationship with alcohol, which leads to most people fundamentally transforming their lives.”

Francesca James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, stated: “[Fairbairns] was the outstanding candidate to become Entrepreneur of the Year in Scotland and Northern Ireland. “He exhibits everything that it means to be a Great British entrepreneur. He has a fantastic story and I can’t wait to watch One Year No Beer flourish for many years to come.”

Fairbairns is now in the running to be named Great British Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 at the national final of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.Chancellor Rishi Sunak in a video message to finalists said: “Entrepreneurs are creating new businesses and adapting to the crisis.”

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