Dewerstone Founder Rory Atton Recipient Of Entrepreneur For Good Award

1% for the Planet members, planters of over 25,000 trees and Climate Neutral Certified, Dewerstone is a business that puts the planet first. In recognition of their efforts, Founder Rory Atton is this year’s deserving winner of the Entrepreneur for Good Award.

Press Release:
Dewerstone founder picks up Entrepreneur for Good Award

The founder of Dewerstone, Rory Atton has won the Entrepreneur for Good Award for the south west at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Dewerstone is an outdoor lifestyle clothing & sunglasses brand based in the heart of Dartmoor National Park. The environment and sustainability values are at the core of what it does, based on the belief that it is their responsibility to protect the environment the brand was founded upon.

Now in its eighth year, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards in partnership with Starling Bank celebrate the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs in the UK, rather than the business’ balance sheet.

The Entrepreneur for Good Award is designed to celebrate businesses and founders whose primary focus is having a positive impact on the world, creating social and environmental change, rather than building wealth.

Dewerstone founder Rory Atton commented ‘The more visibility and credibility that companies actioning positive change receive, will directly contribute to the change we need to see in this World. The ‘Entrepreneur For Good Award’ is recognition that our mission and our values resonate with the modern consumer and that we are a brand that embodies what matters most to us.

Dewerstone are members of 1% for the Planet, where they give 1% of annual sales to environmental non profits including Save Our Rivers and the Gili Eco Trust. They are also Climate Neutral Certified and will have planted over 25’000 trees in Indonesia in 2020.

With Covid-19 restrictions preventing the regional finals taking place at a live event, Rory won the award during a virtual award ceremony joined by finalists across every region.

In a video message to finalists, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Entrepreneurs [have shown they] stay strong, even during a global pandemic. Coronavirus hasn’t stifled enterprise.

“Entrepreneurs are creating new businesses and adapting to the crisis, as seen in this year’s entries. And that’s what we need to happen if we want our economy to bounce back. We need all of you to keep inventing, keep taking risks, keep creating new businesses.

“It’s my job as Chancellor to celebrate, champion and support you.

“Congratulations to all the winners. Thank you to all of you for everything you’ve done.”

Francesca James, founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: “Rory has a wonderful entrepreneurial story and I’m delighted for him to win this award. I’ll be keeping a very close eye on what he does in the years to come and look forward to welcoming him to the community.”

Anne Boden, founder and CEO of Starling Bank, said: “We’re entrepreneurs and we have spirit. We fight back and we’re very good at dealing with adversity. And Rory is an example to us all, of entrepreneurs that are creative, innovative, and changing the world.

“I’m so excited that Starling, a business I founded in 2014 and now the Best British Bank, is sponsoring such an important Awards. And as one entrepreneur to another, congratulations to getting where you are this evening and best of luck for the future.”

The winners of each category will now go to the National Final of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, with a date to be announced due to restrictions on large events.