A free-from food entrepreneur with a factory in Harrogate has been named as a finalist in the Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Kirsty Henshaw, who is the founder of Kirsty’s - the UK’s No.1 free-from ready meal brand, has been shortlisted for the Established Business of the Year Award in North East, Yorkshire and The Humber.
Kirsty’s, which has a factory off Skipton Road in Harrogate, began when Kirsty became a mum at 19-years-old.
Not long after, her young son was diagnosed with food allergies and intolerances, and after a frustrating search for quality and healthy free-from options in the supermarket, Kirsty set out on making her own.
This led to a memorable and impressive pitch on Dragon’s Den in 2010 for her free-from ice-cream, where she left with investment from Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne, who she worked with successfully for three years.
In 2012, Kirsty made the decision to pivot the business into naturally healthy, free-from chilled ready meals, which saw a rebrand to ‘Kirsty’s’ and the start of her journey to become the UK’s No.1 free-from ready meal brand.
Today, Kirsty’s range of free-from ready meals is sold in all major supermarkets, and she is the proud owner of a state of the art 100% allergen-free food factory in Harrogate where her products are safely made.
The 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards – often referred to as the ‘Grammy’s of Entrepreneurship’ – were created to support and champion entrepreneurs across the UK.
Speaking about her nomination, Kirsty Henshaw said:
"I’m honoured to have been named a finalist for the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, and grateful that my journey and the purpose behind it have been recognised.
“I founded Kirsty’s with a clear mission: to support individuals living with food allergies and intolerances by offering safe, delicious meals made with uncompromising quality.
"I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved over the past decade — none of which would have been possible without the dedication of my talented team.
“Today, that mission remains as strong as ever. Through our 100% allergen-free factory, Kirsty’s continues to innovate and make life simpler — and tastier — for those navigating the everyday challenges of food allergies and intolerances.”
Winners of the 2025 awards will be announced on Monday 17th November in an awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
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