Wexford man selected as finalist at EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards

A Wexford man has been selected as a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards…

EY’s unique global program that recognizes entrepreneurial achievement among individuals and companies that demonstrate vision, leadership and success.

Wexford business man, Karl Fitzpatrick, has been selected a finalist at the prestigious competition. He has been selected as a finalist in the ‘established’ category. In the Established category, the finalists are: Karl Fitzpatrick of Chevron College; Derek Foley Butler of Grid Finance; James Kelly of LMH Engineering Group; William McColgan of McColgans Quality Foods; Gareth Sheridan of Nutriband Inc; Terry Hughes of Pivotal; Larry Bass of Shinawil; and Gary Lavin of VitHit Drinks.

Chevron College employs 135 staff and delivers online further and higher education programmes in sustainability, technology and healthcare to over 15,000 students annually.

The finalists will compete within three categories emerging, established and international with the overall winner to be announced as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year at a gala awards ceremony in November.

Speaking after the announcement, Fitzpatrick said:

“It’s an absolute honour to have been selected as a finalist in the 2025 EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme. It’s both a personal milestone and the ultimate recognition for what Chevron College has achieved so far.”

“To be acknowledged alongside such a trailblazing group of entrepreneurs from across the island of Ireland is incredibly humbling. This is also a moment to reflect on the people who’ve helped shape the journey and I would like to thank my family, colleagues, students, friends, academic partners and everyone who believed in what we set out to do.”

“The EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme is the most respected entrepreneurship platform in the world, providing unparalleled opportunities for personal growth, business development, and international exposure. To be part of it is genuinely exciting and something I’m truly proud of,” he said.

All finalists will attend a weeklong chief executive retreat in Tokyo and Kyoto in Japan as part of a strategic growth programme. It’s the first time that a Wexford native has been selected as a finalist in 15 years.