Melksham-based raw pet food manufacturer Poppy’s Picnic has made the South West regional finals of the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards (GBEAs). The company has been nominated in the Entrepreneurs' Team of the Year category.

Founder Dylan Watkins, who began the firm from his home in Bromham in 2016, commented:

“We are over the moon to have been shortlisted. We entered the Team of the Year category because, as the GBEA team say themselves, '“No man is an island” and that couldn't be more true in my experience as an entrepreneur.

"I rely on my team, from the wonderful VIP (Very Important Paws) Team answering customer queries, to our butchers, marketeers and operations team, to be able to deliver our customers and their dogs' award-winning food. I’m thrilled that we are all being recognised together."

He began Poppy’s Picnic to make it easy for people to feed their dogs a fresh, raw food diet the way nature intended. The company’s tasty wholesome recipes have been crafted with the help of canine nutritionists and fourth generation butchers. With no hidden nasties, the balanced meals contain all the goodness a dog needs for optimal health and wellbeing and is now on sale in independent pet shops around the UK and online.

Since overfunding during a successful crowdfunding campaign early last year, Poppy’s Picnic has won 8 national and regional awards and nearly a thousand 5 star reviews.

Dylan Watkins has recently been appearing as an ambassador in online commercials for the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme, which Poppy’s Picnic participated in to help grow the business.

Founded in 2013, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and businesses in the United Kingdom. The 2019 programme sees the Awards held in eight regions – Midlands, Wales, the South West, the North East, the North West, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and London & the South East. The GBEAs have celebrated some outstanding entrepreneurs over the years who have all gone on to become household names including BrewDog, JustEat and TangleTeezer. If successful at the regional finals, Poppy’s Picnic will bid for the grand prize at the national finals in London later this year.