Pet food manufacturer Poppy’s Picnic has made the South West regional finals of the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards (GBEAs). The company has been nominated in the Entrepreneurs' Team of the Year category.

Founded in 2013, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and businesses in the United Kingdom.

The 2019 programme sees the Awards held in eight regions – Midlands, Wales, the South West, the North East, the North West, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and London & the South East. The GBEAs have celebrated some outstanding entrepreneurs over the years who have all gone on to become household names including BrewDog, JustEat and TangleTeezer. If successful at the regional finals, Poppy’s Picnic will bid for the grand prize at the national finals in London later this year.

Founder, Dylan Watkins commented: “We are over the moon to have been shortlisted. We entered the Team of the Year category because, as The GBEA team say themselves, '“No man is an island” and that couldn't be more true in my experience as an entrepreneur. I rely on my team, from the wonderful VIP (Very Important Paws) Team answering customer queries, to our butchers, marketeers and operations team, to be able to deliver our customers and their dogs' award-winning food. I’m thrilled that we are all being recognised together. “

Dylan Watkins launched Poppy’s Picnic in 2016 to make it easy for people to feed their dogs a fresh, raw food diet the way nature intended. Based in the heart of Wiltshire, the company’s tasty wholesome recipes have been lovingly crafted with the help of canine nutritionists and fourth generation butchers. With no hidden nasties, the balanced meals contain all the goodness a dog needs for optimal health and wellbeing. The food can be bought in independent pet shops around the UK, online and in Hong Kong.

Poppy’s Picnic received four offers on BBC 2 Dragons’ Den in 2018 and has since been featured on Come Dine With Me, ITV’s This Morning as well as in national news titles and BBC Radio London and Wiltshire. Since overfunding during a successful crowdfunding campaign early last year, Poppy’s Picnic has won 8 national and regional awards and nearly a thousand 5 star reviews.

Dylan Watkins has recently been appearing as an ambassador in online commercials for the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme which Poppy’s Picnic participated in to help grow the business.

For further information on Poppy’s Picnic visit: www.poppyspicnic.co.uk