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Brian O’Sullivan, founder and chief executive of Zeus Packaging has been named the International 2021 EY Entrepreneur of The Year.
Zeus is one of the largest privately owned packaging companies in Europe. It employs more than 670 people, has business units in 26 countries and annual revenues of over €300 million.
Mr O’Sullivan initially funded Zeus by selling houses he had invested in during his studies and using all of his personal savings. Since then, he has led the company through significant growth, both organically and through acquisitions that have been financed by debt rather than outside investment. He is now seeking to grow turnover to about €500 million in the coming three years.
“I don’t believe I am an entrepreneur, just a hard worker with common sense,” Mr O’Sullivan told The Irish Times recently.
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The businessman received his awards at a virtual ceremony on Thursday with an audience of more than 2,000 people.
The 24 finalists for this year's EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards collectively employ more than 3,900 people and generate revenue in excess of €1 billion.
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