A big hit down under

3:27pm Tuesday 2nd September 2008

A HIGH-FLYING business man has reached the final of the New Zealand Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

The 35-year-old, who hails from Garner Street, Orford, proved to judges that Oh Group, his drinks company has the potential to go the full distance.

Neil Fitzpatrick moved down under to Wellington after meeting his partner Kathryn, a Kiwi journalist, while studying at Sunderland University.

The dad-of-two had was short-listed to give a 15-minute presentation to impress the judges and was then subjected to 45 minutes of questions fired by the five panelists.

Mr Fitzpatrick, who has lived in New Zealand for 12 years introduced Loud and Lola, his pre-mixed cocktail initiative which he says is aimed should be sipped and savoured, not chugged.

The former William Beamont High School pupil secured third place in the scheme, which will give him the extra push towards spearheading the industry.

Mum Gaynor Connor, of Hood Lane, Great Sankey, said: “He’s always been an entrepreneur. Even when he was little he was always buying medals and selling them again.

“I’m absolutely as proud as punch. The finalists were each from different area in New Zealand.”