Edinburgh entrepreneur in the Dragon’s Den

Edinburgh-based entrepreneur John McClarey, founder of corporate, charity sports-events company, Business Fives, is to appear on an upcoming episode of Dragons’ Den.

John founded Business Fives 10 years ago, without seed investment, starting with a single charity sports event in the capital.

Since then, the business has grown into a multi-location operation spanning more than 50 cities across the UK and Ireland, as well as Europe.

Today, Business Fives delivers professionally organised football, golf, mixed touch rugby and esports (electronic sports) events, bringing businesses together while raising money for thousands of charitable causes and promoting employee engagement and networking.

Now working with high-profile clients such as PwC, EY, eBay and Sky, John has helped raise in excess of £1m for good causes.

He entered Dragons’ Den with the goal to gain the knowledge and expertise that would allow Business Fives to increase the impact its corporate, charity football events can create, and maximise its current revenue streams from sponsorship and golf.

Viewers will be able to see how he fares as he presents his business to the current Dragons: Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett along with guest Dragon Tinie Tempah on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The programme airs on Thursday 19 February.

Speaking ahead of the broadcast, John said: “Stepping into the Den was one of the best things I’ve ever done in business.

“It was an amazing experience to present the journey of Business Fives to entrepreneurs who I have held in high regard for many years and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the business comes across on screen.”#

www.businessfives.com

Photography: BBC, of John McClarey