Ashely Berrysmith

Short Biography

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, presented to Ashley in 2007 was in recognition of the two innovative vertically integrated food business he had started and developed, to meet his goal of increasing the consumption of vegetables, by offering consumers a convenient solution. Both businesses were based on his “from seed to plate” philosophy. 

The first business, Sproutman, was established in 1980 and brought bean sprouts, alfalfa sprouts and other sprouted beans from an obscure novel food item into a mainstream FMCG Business. Sproutman was sold in 1997. Ashley then started Snap Fresh Foods, establishing a market for prewashed baby leaf greens in New Zealand, developing the iconic household brands of Krispkut Mesclun and Farmer Bill’s Baby Peeled Carrots. When this business was sold in 2014 Ashley had built the annual turnover to $32 million.

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur
of The Year Hall of Fame

2016 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Peter Beck, Founder of Rocket Lab

www.rocketlabusa.com

2015 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Craig Hickson, Progressive Foods

www.progressivemeats.co.nz

2014 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Dan Radcliffe, International Volunteer HQ
www.volunteer.org

2013 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Rod Drury, Xero

2012 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Craig Heatly, CNZM

2011 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Bill Buckley, CNZM, BSL Buckley Systems
www.buckleysystems.com

2010 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Tim Alpe, JUCY Group
www.jucy.co.nz

2009 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Diane Foreman, CNZM, Emerald Group
www.newzealandnatural.com

2008 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Sir Michael Hill, Michael Hill International
www.michaelhill.com

2007 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Ashley Berrysmith, Fresh Cuts NZ
www.nzfreshcuts.co.nz

2006 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Sir Richard Taylor, ONZM, Weta Workshop
www.wetanz.com

2005 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Sir George Fistonich, DCNZM, Villa Maria
www.villamaria.co.nz

2004 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Phillip Mills, Les Mills International
www.lesmills.co.nz