Gloucestershire has long been home to ambitious business talent, with entrepreneurs across the county launching innovative ventures, creating employment opportunities and building brands with regional, national and international impact.
From start-ups challenging the status quo to established founders driving impressive growth, SoGlos celebrates some of the most inspiring entrepreneurial success stories in Gloucestershire right now.
Discover the business leaders turning bold ideas into reality and helping to cement the county's reputation as one of the south west's most dynamic places to do business.
Ciara McGurk, Tallow + Ash
The founder of innovative Gloucestershire-based laundry brand Tallow + Ash, Ciara McGurk was named a Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 in the UK StartUp Awards and is on a mission to 'elevate laundry' – combining clean chemistry with perfume-inspired scents to 'revolutionise' how we wash our clothes.
Interest in this entrepreneur's products has grown rapidly following the firm's launch in June 2023, hitting the headlines with developments including the launch of a patented refillable stain pen, getting stocked in the stores of retail giant Tesco and taking over Alma House in Cheltenham as the company's new HQ at the end of 2025.
Brusk Korkmaz, Hercules
Founder and CEO of Cirencester-headquartered construction firm Hercules, Brusk Korkmaz has over two decades of construction industry experience and has led the firm to impressive heights. Brusk floated Hercules on the stock market in 2022 and is aiming to make £500 million in turnover in the next five years.
With well over 1,600 operatives working on some of the UK's largest infrastructure projects for partners such as Balfour Beatty, Skanska, Costain and many more, Brusk has fostered not only a multi-million-pound company, but one that wins awards for its employee culture, ethics and sustainability.
Nicola Bird, KW Bell Group
Chief operating officer of KW Bell Group, Nicola Bird is passionate about excellence and innovation in the construction industry. Her family's initiative, AccXel, in the Forest of Dean, is an industry heavyweight with three generations of construction expertise behind it, pioneering the UK's first and only industry-led construction school.
Operating with an ethos that a deep understanding of the industry is crucial for success, Nicola is a hands-on entrepreneur, positively influencing the next generation of construction workers – in particular championing women in construction.
Jade Holland Cooper, Holland Cooper
The chic mind behind the eponymous Holland Cooper fashion brand, Jade's confidence, vision and ideas saw her leave the Royal Agricultural University to pursue dreams of owning her own label. With a loyal following garnered through mastering online sales via social media — and a solid relationship with Cheltenham Racecourse as its official fashion partner — Jade Holland Cooper remains inspirational to other aspiring entrepreneurs.
Some of Jade's most recent accomplishments include the opening of the 70,000-square-foot headquarters at Dunkertons Park in Charlton Kings, through to teaming up with Dame Mary Berry for a brand-new gardening range.
Daniel Szor, Cotswolds Distillery
Founder of The Cotswold Distilling Company, New York-born Daniel Szor transitioned his career expertise in strategy and market expansion to the spirits industry, blending a passion for whisky with entrepreneurial vision.
Leading the only full-scale distillery in the Cotswolds, the company specialises in gin and single malt whisky, with distribution in over 30 countries. While the distillery attracts over 100,000 annual visitors and has become a top-rated regional destination.
Spencer McPherson, StillMoving
A Gloucestershire brand which punches well above it's weight both nationally and internationally, StillMoving’s founder Spencer McPherson has combined his roots in photography with a background in law and finance to create an award-winning creative production house powered by brilliant storytellers.
Clients include Lotus, Superdry, Sweaty Betty, Porsche and Bottle Green. No stranger to awards, Spencer's most recent accolade is being crowned CEO of the Year 2026 in the national MD of the Year Awards.
Miles Dunkley, SLG Brands
Having joined his family's manufacturing business in 1996 as employee number four, Miles Dunkley's creative entrepreneurial vision has always been at the heart of what is a leading beauty brand and incubator business – SLG Brands – and one of Gloucestershire's most incredible success stories.
Today, Miles' passion for design, expansionist thinking and growth can be felt throughout the company, which celebrated an incredible 40 years of innovation at the end of 2025.
Daniel O’Neill, ProCook
When Daniel O'Neill founded kitchenware retailer ProCook as a mail order business in 1996, little did he know he would create the UK's leading direct-to-consumer specialist kitchenware brand.
Having opened its latest Gloucestershire store at the Cotswolds Designer Outlet in 2025, the brand continues to see major growth, particularly in bricks and mortar. In 2026, the certified B Corp has celebrated store openings in Sheffield and Brighton, as well as launching a dedicated trade division.
Richard Cook, Severn & Wye Smokery
Fishmonger Richard Cook reports an annual turnover well in excess of £50 million at his globally renowned firm Severn & Wye Smokery. The Royal Warrant-held smokery, restaurant, chef's larder, fish counter and cookery school, just off the A48 at Chaxhill, was founded in 1989, employs around 120 people and is an iconic Gloucestershire business.
While this experienced entrepreneur is driving ambitious plans to build a huge new fish farm, restaurant and visitor centre at Lydney Harbour which was given the go-ahead in 2024.
Greg Piley, Stroud Brewery
Greg Pilley is an entrepreneur, pioneer and icon for those who believe businesses can actually be kinder to the planet, fun, imaginative, community-focused and successful too.
Greg, who previously worked for the Soil Association, started Stroud Brewery before micro-breweries were fashionable, stubbornly raising the flag from day one for what he believed was ethical and environmentally sound. Customer loyalty, community support and respect speak volumes for what his team is achieving — including continuing to scoop industry awards for its organic beers.
Paul Bence, George Bence Group
Managing director of Cheltenham's George Bence Group, Paul Bence is the son of chairman Chris Bence and the fifth generation to run Gloucestershire’s leading independent builders’ merchants, George Bence & Sons.
Established in 1854, the company prides itself on catering for everyone from DIY enthusiasts, to landscapers and national housebuilders. The group also has Obsidian Interiors as part of its portfolio – which reopened its Cheltenham showroom in 2025 following a £500,000 refurbishment – and more recently opened its 10th Bence branch in Swindon.
Tim Horrocks, rockwealth
Founder and CEO of Cheltenham-headquartered rockwealth, Tim Horrocks qualified as a financial planner in 2003 and has since garnered a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise – with a vision for doing things differently and leading the financial services industry by example.
He's the powerhouse behind rockwealth's evidence-based, client-first approach, which attracted backing from one of Europe’s leading financial groups, Söderberg & Partners, at the end of 2025 – fuelling an exciting new phase of growth across the UK. Most recently, rockwealth announced its expansion into a national group with 20 offices, under Tim's entrepreneurial leadership.
Clara Cardillo, Non Solo Pasta
Founder and co-owner of Non Solo Pasta and The Cotswold Cardillo, Cirencester-based Clara Cardillo has made waves in the Gloucestershire business scene with her Italian food and drink products, inspired by her family's own recipes.
What started out as a stall at Cirencester's farmers market selling authentic Italian street food made using the finest Cotswold ingredients is now a nationally recognised company, with its artisan Italian products making their way to homes and businesses all over the country, with Clara taking home the Gloucestershire Business Award for Businesswoman of the Year in 2025.
Nigel Church, Emerge Digital
As the CEO of Emerge Digital, an innovative technology and digital innovation partner and managed services provider, Nigel Church is a Gloucestershire entrepreneur at the helm of driving solutions that substantially bolster efficiency, competitiveness and profitability for SMEs.
He's responsible for the vision, strategic direction, growth and setting the standards of operational capability within the Cheltenham-headquartered firm, which is also the organiser of the local Gloucestershire Growth Forum.
Sam Carter, EG Carter
When talking about hands-on influence in the building sector in Gloucestershire – few have quite the profile and history of EG Carter. The Gloucester-based family business has been a core part of the transformational Gloucester city centre development The Forum, it delivered the brand-new MKM Building Supplies Gloucester branch in Quedegely, has constructed schools and been influential on so many more projects throughout the county.
Sam Carter became joint managing directors of the business in 2022, the fourth generation to lead the successful construction firm with entrepreneurial spirit.
