Timo Boldt founder of Gousto named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2022 UK

• Timo Boldt, Founder & CEO of Gousto, was crowned overall UK winner for his entrepreneurial spirit and belief in his purpose

• Gousto, is today a B CorpTM unicorn, and has grown from a start-up to a business with an estimated valuation worth $1.7 billion 

• Learning Curve Group was presented with the Societal Impact award, and Cullen Packaging received the Transformational Leader award

Timo Boldt, Founder & CEO of Gousto, has been named the UK overall winner at this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The YearTM celebration dinner in Manchester. 

Using data and technology to enhance the customer experience, Timo has pioneered the recipe box offering in the UK changing the way people shop and eat.

Timo is achieving his double purpose of having a positive impact on people and the planet, by reducing food waste to just 1% and donating the extra produce for half a million meals to those in need.

Commenting on this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 overall winner, Chair of the Judging Panel, Shravin Bharti Mittal, Founder & CEO of Unbound, said: “ This year’s cohort are exceptionally talented and have all demonstrated entrepreneurial qualities within their respective industries across the UK. 

After careful consideration, the judging panel is proud to recognised Timo Boldt as UK overall winner. Timo’s passion for his purpose shines through, which is a crucial attribute to have as an entrepreneur. Throughout his journey he's focused on bringing others along with him and places importance on human talent and culture. We are excited to see him represent the UK at EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ next year.”

Gousto founded in 2012

While working long hours in the finance industry, Timo recognised the need for convenient healthy meals and a solution to food waste created by those with similarly busy lifestyles. 

Timo moved into student accommodation where he packed individual boxes and hand-delivered them to customers. Since then, Gousto has grown rapidly with hyper-growth in recent years. At the start of 2022, the company closed a $150 million funding round led by SoftBank – valuing the company at $1.7 billion.  

Timo Boldt, Founder & CEO, Gousto said: “Winning Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 means the world to me. Most importantly it recognises the work, passion, commitment, customer focus, focus on impact, ownership and integrity of everyone working here at Gousto. I am so proud of the team that makes it all happen every day, and this is their recognition! Easily the best team in all of the UK and they so deserve this award, which I’m just accepting on everyone’s behalf. Gousto would be nothing without its team. Go team Gousto! A big thanks to EY for such a great process and all the support.”

Victoria Price, EY’s Private Tax Leader for the EMEIA and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK Partner Lead said: “Every year I am amazed by the calibre of entrepreneurs participating in the programme, it really highlights the exceptional business talent we have here in the UK. These leaders are ambitious, unstoppable, and are continually making a positive impact on their communities. Timo reflects all these qualities and is a very deserving winner.”      

Lynn Rattigan, EY’s Chief Operating Officer for the UK & Ireland and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year UK Partner Sponsor, said: “Congratulations to Timo for joining an extraordinary global community of entrepreneurs that we are privileged to work with through the EY World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM programme. And congratulations to all the visionary leaders who have been a part of our 2022 programme, they’re incredibly inspiring and I look forward to watching their success in the future.”

Read more about Timo’s story here.

Societal Impact award

In addition, the judges awarded the Societal Impact award to Brenda McLeish OBE, CEO of Learning Curve Group, which has grown significantly over the last 15 years, impacting over 200,000 lives each year. The company provides effective and relevant delivery of learning opportunities, with the goal of getting disadvantaged people skilled and ultimately into employment.

Transformational Leader award

The judges also commended David MacDonald, CEO of Cullen Packaging, who won the Transformational Leader award. Based in Glasgow, Cullen Packaging manufactures eco-friendly packaging using moulded pulp, corrugate, or a combination of both.

Under David’s leadership, the company’s reach has become global, helping organisations meet their sustainability goals. Since 2020 over 1 billion moulded pulp products have been manufactured to replace single-use plastic. Cullen Packaging continues to grow, demonstrating strong scaling prospects, as they continue to help businesses prioritise ESG. 

UK judging panel

Our independent judging panel are leaders who have demonstrated purpose and drive throughout their careers, including:

• Shravin Bharti Mittal, Founder & CEO of Unbound

• Jamil Mawji, Co-Founder & Co-Chair of National Care Group

• Joanna Swash, Group CEO of Moneypenny

• Richard Harpin, Founder & CEO of HomeServe PLC and Growth Partner LLP

• Kim Morrish, Owner & Director of Ground Control

Sponsors

The headline sponsor of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 UK is Swiss wealth management group Julius Baer International Limited. 

David Durlacher, CEO of Julius Baer International Limited said: “Once again EY’s Entrepreneur Of The Year programme has given us much cause for optimism by showcasing the impressive levels of entrepreneurial talent we have here in the UK. It is truly encouraging to see that innovation is continuing to thrive across a variety of sectors and that individuals driving change are being recognised for their achievements. We at Julius Baer are proud to be the Headline Sponsor of such a programme and send a huge congratulations to all the 2022 finalists and, of course, to this year’s UK Entrepreneur Of The Year, Timo.”

For a full list and more information on the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 UK finalists click here.