Jack scoops Business Man of the Year crown

Jack scoops Business Man of the Year crown

20 September 2017

A COMBER man has been named Business Man of the Year at the Ulster Tatler Awards.

Jack Hamilton, who went from being a vegetable peeler when Mash Direct first started in 2004 to company director, received the award at a gala event in Belfast last week.

Having helped to harvest the crop of vegetables that would go on to make the first Mash Direct products in 2004, Jack became a washer and a peeler when the business was only a handful of people on the family farm in Comber.  

Since then he has grown through the business from starting their social media, to becoming marketing manager to joining the board as marketing, exports and new markets director.

Jack said it was a shock to be nominated, let alone win the award.  

“At such a glitzy event, with the best in fashion on display, it was great to take the award on behalf of the humble spud,” he said.  “This award is for the hard work of the amazing team that we have at Mash Direct.

“In Northern Ireland, we thrive in doing the simple things well but we aren’t good at getting out there and telling people about it. I believe that there is a great future ahead for the local agri-food industry if we can seize the opportunities, home and abroad as well as being able to get out there and market them.  

“It was such a tough category this year and I was up against some great business men from different industries. Everyone had a fantastic night and it was great to celebrate the top talent that Northern Ireland has to offer. Well done to all of the finalists and the winners of each category.”