Lord Newborough, owner of Rhug Estate, was named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ at the Wales Food and Drink Awards 2025 in recognition of his contribution to the Welsh food industry.
Now in their fourth year, the awards, held in Llandudno, welcome Welsh producers and suppliers from across the food and drink sector to recognise businesses that are innovating, creating employment and driving growth in the Welsh economy.
Owner of Rugh Estate Lord Newborough was named this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Lord Newborough is the driving force behind the 12,500-acre estate in North Wales, which includes a farm shop and online shop, and is a prominent figure in organic farming. The award, sponsored by Food & Drink Wales, celebrates individuals who are leading the way in the food and drink sector in Wales and who have “demonstrated the ambition to turn bold ideas into successful businesses, and who continue to drive innovation, growth and resilience across the industry”.
Commenting on winning the award, Lord Newborough said: “It’s a tremendous honour to receive this award, especially among such inspiring peers in Wales’s vibrant food and drink sector. Building a business in this industry demands vision, resilience, and a deep commitment to quality, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved at Rhug Estate.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team and our shared belief in sustainable, organic farming. We remain ambitious about the future and excited to keep driving innovation and excellence in Welsh food and drink.”
Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Welsh Government Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, commented, “The Entrepreneur of the Year award is a powerful reflection of the innovation, ambition, and resilience that define Wales’s food and drink sector. It celebrates those who are not only building successful businesses, but also helping to shape a dynamic industry that is central to our economy, our communities, and our national identity.
Through Food & Drink Wales the Welsh Government offers support and market intelligence for businesses in Wales, including the Investor Ready programme, which has worked with more than 240 businesses since it was launched in 2018, and Project HELIX, which offers technical and commercial support to help companies to innovate.
