Edward McCloskey named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025

Edward McCloskey wins EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025, alongside Áine Kennedy, Derek Foley Butler, David Corcoran and Denis O’Brien at major awards.

Edward McCloskey, founder of WaterWipes and owner of Boyne Valley Group, has been named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 at the programme’s 28th annual gala in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

McCloskey also secured the International category award, recognising his role in building WaterWipes into a global brand that has redefined the wipes market with its focus on purity and sustainability.

Alongside WaterWipes, McCloskey leads Boyne Valley Group, which owns household names such as Chivers, McDonnell’s and Kinetica Sports Nutrition.

His businesses employ more than 650 people and continue to expand internationally. McCloskey will represent Ireland at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Monaco in June 2026.

Punching above their weight

The 2025 winners celebrate at the 28th annual EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards. Pictured left to right are: David Corcoran (Sustainability Award); Denis O’Brien (Special Recognition Award); Eimear McCrann (Director, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland);  Edward McCloskey (Overall and International Winner); Frank O’Keeffe (Managing Partner, EY Ireland); Áine Kennedy (Emerging Entrepreneur); Roger Wallace (Head of Assurance and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland); and Derek Foley Butler (Established Entrepreneur). Photo: Naoise Culhane

The EY Entrepreneur of the Year programme now includes more than 680 entrepreneurs who collectively generate €28 billion in revenues and employ over 275,000 people across Ireland. The initiative is supported by Julius Baer International, Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland.

Áine Kennedy, founder of The Smooth Company, won the Emerging Entrepreneur award. Kennedy launched her haircare brand in 2022 from her attic and has grown it into a global business with customers in 70 countries. Her products aim to simplify routines while delivering salon-quality results at home.

The Established Entrepreneur award went to Derek Foley Butler, chief executive of GRID Finance. Founded in 2013, GRID Finance has become a leading fintech platform for SMEs, offering Ireland’s only business credit score service and becoming the country’s first financial services B-Corp. The platform has supported 25,000 jobs across 4,000 businesses.

David Corcoran of Soltec Ireland received the Sustainability award. Soltec has spent three decades innovating in hazardous waste recovery and recycling. Under Corcoran’s leadership, the company has strengthened its commitment to sustainability and positioned itself as a key player in Ireland’s transition to a circular economy.

EY also presented its Special Recognition award to Denis O’Brien for his contribution to Irish business and philanthropy. O’Brien has played an active role in the Entrepreneur of the Year programme, serving on the judging panel and mentoring finalists.

Talent and ambition

Roger Wallace, head of assurance and EY Entrepreneur of the Year Ireland, said the awards celebrate “extraordinary talent and ambition” at a time of rapid global change. “Entrepreneurs create jobs, drive innovation and help Ireland remain competitive on the world stage,” he said.

“We are incredibly proud of every finalist and winner this evening – not only for their business achievements, but for their resilience, creativity and commitment to making a positive impact.”

Harry Hughes, chair of the judging panel and EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017, praised the winners for their leadership and creativity. “Our finalists deserve equal praise – their ambition and resilience throughout the programme have been inspiring,” he said.

Top image: Edward McCloskey, founder of WaterWipes and owner of Boyne Valley Group, celebrates being named overall winner at the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 28th annual awards. Photo: Naoise Culhane

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