MediCare MD - Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist

15/06/2010

Twenty-four candidates, whose businesses hold a combined turnover of close to €1 billion, have been shortlisted for the 2010 Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

MediCare’s Michael Guerin is one of these successful 24.

Qualified as a pharmacist in 1987, Michael purchased his first pharmacy in 1988, Belfast’s first late-night pharmacy. He went on to acquire his second pharmacy in 1992. Both of these outlets were in the centre of Belfast and suffered damages no less than 19 times throughout the troubles; but this was not to hold Michael back.

The group continued to grow by acquisition and by 2001 had 13 stores. In 2002, the MediCare brand was formed and is today the largest indigenous and fastest-growing pharmacy group in Northern Ireland employing more than 650 staff in 57 locations across the province. Medicare Pharmacy Group is regarded as one of the leading pharmacy providers in Northern Ireland dispensing over four million prescriptions annually.

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year is part of a global recognition programme to identify, celebrate and support entrepreneurs. The award scheme runs in more than 40 countries across six continents and in 2010 more than 10,000 entrepreneurs worldwide will be nominated. The Irish programme, now in its 13th year, has been identified as one of the strongest worldwide. The award is run in association with The Irish Times , RTÉ, Enterprise Ireland, InterTradeIreland, and News-talk.

The judging panel is made up of business people who have achieved success in their own right. The judging criteria includes growth in turnover and employee numbers, as well as vision, degree of innovation, creativity in production, marketing and selling, and expansion in local and international markets.

Each finalist will feature in a three-part series to appear on RTÉ in October, and the overall winner will be announced at a televised awards ceremony on October 21st.

To see the RTE Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year segment on MediCare, click here.

Further information on the 2010 programme can be viewed online at www.eoy.ie