Local Buisiness Man makes Mark in London

A leading Channel Island businessman has been named as a finalist in this year’s Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, for the London and South region.

Mark Crowther is Chief Executive of the Liberation Group, the largest drinks, pubs and brewing company with operations in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney. Mr Crowther led the purchase of the former Ann Street Group in 2008 with the backing of LGV, a City-based venture capitalist company.

Since then he has driven growth in the company that has invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in its Channel Island property portfolio, refurbishing and updating pubs in both Bailiwicks.

The search for the Entrepreneur of the Year begins in January when nominations are invited for suitable candidates. These are then considered by an independent panel of entrepreneurs, academics, business leaders and media representatives. Regional award winners are then put forward for the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Palm Springs in November where national finalists are named.

All regional winners are inducted into the Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame, and national winners from more than 40 countries worldwide are inducted into the World Entrepreneur of the Year Academy, a select group of global entrepreneurs.

The purpose of the Awards is to raise awareness of the economic and social benefits entrepreneurs can bring to a region or nation.

Mark Crowther said: "It's obviously an absolute honour to have been nominated in the first place but to have now been put forward to the finals by the panel of judges is incredibly flattering. Since taking over the company in 2008 we have worked so hard to build a business that is a benefit to the Islands, from our product range to employment opportunities. We also give a great deal back to the community through our support for local events and our associations with locally based charities such as Holidays for Heroes. We are continuously looking for ways to improve what we do and to make our business stronger."

Sophie Maher, Investment Manager with LGV Capital said: "Mark came to us with a very strong proposition that fitted our core investment strategy. Since becoming involved with the business we have seen it grow and strengthen. The management team, led by Mark, is very experienced and commercially astute and this nomination is a fitting tribute not just for Mark, but also the commitment and dedication of the whole Liberation Group team."

The company runs 69 pubs across the Islands, as well as the Victor Hugo and Bucktrouts retail and wholesale drinks distribution businesses. One of the jewels in the group businesses is the Jersey Brewery, based at Longueville in Jersey which produces the award winning Liberation Ale as well as the long-established Mary Ann range of beers. This year the Jersey Brewery celebrates 140 years of producing Channel Island beer.