Active nutrition brand Grenade® scoops two Midlands awards for entrepreneurialism

Finalists from across the Midlands gathered in Birmingham for the sixth annual NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

But the big winners of the night were Alan and Juliet Barratt, the husband and wife founders of active nutrition brand Grenade®. They were crowned the regional winners of:

• Great British Entrepreneur of the Year
• Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year

After launching their first product in 2010 with just £27 in the business account, Grenade® was valued at £72 million last year. The founders, Alan and Juliet Barratt have created a wide range of high protein, low carb, low sugar products, including bars, shakes and spreads.

Based in Solihull, grenade now employs more than 50 staff and is sold in 80 countries around the world.

On the win, Juliet Barratt says:

“Grenade has beaten the odds and seen phenomenal success after launching in the midst of UK recession. We couldn’t be more delighted to take home these two awards. Grenade’s success is the product of eight years of hard work from myself, Alan and whole team! There are real business powerhouses in the Midlands and we were in phenomenal company on the shortlist, but now we’re looking forward to showing everyone what we’re made of at the national finals in January 2019. We hope the next eight years are even more successful for the company, as we continue to support people making healthier food choices as part of an active lifestyle and expand Grenade on the international stage.”

Francesca James, co-founder of the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said:

“Juliet and Alan have built and scaled an incredible brand over the past eight years, first mastering the dedicated fitness market before making it attractive to those who aren’t obsessed with fitness. Having been valued at £72 million in 2017, and witnessing nearly 50% growth in the past year, we’re extremely excited to see where Juliet and Alan take Grenade next.”

Darren Boocock, Partner for Corporate Finance Advisory at Deloitte, who judged Juliet and Alan’s application, said:

“Juliet and Alan have a really great story. Grenade is a very strong brand with really exciting prospects. It is also in a really interesting segment of the market.”

Winners were crowned across 12 categories, which can be viewed in full here: https://www.greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com/news/midlands-winners-crowned-at-natwest-great-british-entrepreneur-awards/

Gordon Merrylees, Head of Entrepreneurship for NatWest, said:

“The number and calibre of entries this year proves that entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the Midlands. I want to extend my huge congratulations to all the winners, and hope that their businesses continue to grow in the future.”