Strabane businessman in the running for major accolade

A TYRONE food company director has been announced as a finalist in the 2025 EY Entrepreneur Of the Year (EoY) Awards.

William McColgan, Director of McColgan’s Quality Foods in Strabane, is among a total of 27 Irish entrepreneurs on the list of finalists, from sectors including consumer, technology, media, health, life sciences, manufacturing and financial services.

He said was a ‘genuine honour’ to be shortlisted.

“The recognition is also a reflection of the brilliant, talented people at every level of McColgan’s, who are driving the business forward collectively,” William added.

The finalists will compete in three business categories – ‘emerging’, ‘international’ and William’s category, ‘established’ – with an overall winner being announced in November at a gala awards ceremony.

The overall winner will represent Ireland at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in Monaco next year.

William returned from a successful actuarial and tech career in the USA in 2020 and in 2022 took over leadership of his family’s business, McColgan’s, alongside his sister, managing director Grainne Hampton.

Established as a tearoom in Strabane in 1940, McColgan’s has evolved to become one of Ireland’s largest independent suppliers of savoury pastries, with its sausage rolls, quiches, slices and pies sold across Ireland and the UK.

In the last three years, William and Grainne have focused on enhancing company culture, talent development, innovation and lean business practices, with positive results.