BEAR is an award-winning independent brand offering an elevated coffee experience ‘in-store’ and ‘at home’. Founded in 2014 by Craig Bunting and Michael Thorley, BEAR encapsulates the forward-thinking, inner-city hospitality experience and brings it to life within their five stores based in market towns and small cities across the Midlands and Cheshire.
From strategic locations, BEAR serves speciality coffee, seasonal fresh food, cocktails and craft beer in beautifully thought-out spaces. Through their ‘#BEAReverywhere’ retail range, BEAR aims to promote sustainable living and create a better coffee experience and upskill customers to make a consistently great cup from their kitchen or office.
FSB member Craig Bunting is one of the shortlisted business leaders from across the nation to have been selected out of over 5,300 entrants - 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.
Craig Bunting said:
“I am humbled by this. I’ve poured many years into a vision of BEAR that sometimes even overwhelms me! To be recognised by this shortlisting further confirms what I am so passionate about. Growing business, building people and having fun! However, this is certainly not a journey I have travelled alone. My inspiration from my fellow co-founder Michael, founding investor Chris and the whole team at BEAR play a huge part in enabling me to be the entrepreneur that I am today.”
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 across the UK: “The quality of applications is consistently excellent year on year, but we have been especially blown away by the innovation, drive and determination demonstrated 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 country. 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 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. For the full list of finalists visit greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com.