BWG Foods, one of Ireland’s prominent retail and wholesale groups and winner of multiple Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards, has unveiled an innovative initiative called the NextGen Entrepreneurs programme, which aims to foster the growth of future leaders within the retail sector in Ireland. The programme, developed in collaboration with Dublin City University (DCU) Business School, focuses on equipping participants with essential skills in enterprising leadership, retail management, financial management, marketing, technology transformation, and enhancing customer experience.

This initiative is designed to provide holistic support to budding entrepreneurs through a combination of specially crafted education modules and direct mentorship. Participants will engage in one-to-one mentoring sessions with established retail entrepreneurs and senior leaders from BWG Foods, building a bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. Furthermore, the programme encourages peer-to-peer networking, creating an avenue for collaborative learning, including international exposure opportunities aimed at promoting a culture of retail innovation.

The retail sector in Ireland employs over 300,000 individuals, with a significant number working in family-owned businesses, which constitute about 64% of all firms in the country. These family businesses are vital to the Irish economy, contributing close to 50% of the nation’s GDP. Despite the importance of this sector, career advancement opportunities for retail employees have historically been perceived as limited compared to other fields. The NextGen Entrepreneurs programme sets out to change this narrative, empowering employees with the necessary entrepreneurial skills to unlock higher career potential and ultimately supporting the sustainability of independently-owned family businesses in the face of growing competition from multinational retail corporations.

The first cohort of the programme has already reached full capacity with 30 eager participants, and BWG Foods has noted a high volume of applications for the subsequent year. Peter Donohoe, the chief people officer at BWG Foods, commented on the initiative, stating, “Much of Ireland’s great entrepreneurial talent is currently being absorbed into larger international corporates, with most young workers not recognising the exciting and lucrative opportunities that exist across retail leadership.” He emphasized the importance of nurturing high-potential individuals who can become the next generation of retail leaders, ensuring the long-term viability of independent businesses in Ireland.

In selecting candidates, BWG Foods prioritised individuals demonstrating a strong growth mindset, a focus on innovation, and a willingness to take calculated risks. This is reflective of the need for independent retailers to adopt a more forward-thinking approach to maintain competitiveness against larger corporations. Donohoe added, “Ireland has benefitted greatly from the incalculable contributions of international businesses to our economy, however, with SMEs struggling to navigate an environment that naturally benefits larger companies... it’s critical that the next government explores the meaningful opportunities to encourage and support independent business ownership.”

This initiative by BWG Foods represents a significant step in bolstering the Irish retail sector and showcases the commitment to nurturing local talent and sustaining community-focused businesses moving forward.