Liverpool-based JOY SWIFT’S ORIGINAL MURDER MYSTERY WEEKENDS has been recognised as one of the best in the business after being named as a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
40 years ago, Joy Swift MBE came up with the concept of interactive murder mystery events and since then she has entertained millions of people all over the world with her challenging and fun crime fiction plots at hotels, on television, on cruises, on trains, in publications and most recently online.
In 1981 when she launched her Murder Weekends business, the idea took off immediately and by 1983 she had taken her mystery events to America.
She has been interviewed for countless international and national press articles and television features about her and her business ideas, most recently appearing on ITV’s This Morning for her 40th anniversary.
In 2001 she received an MBE for Services to Tourism in the New Years Honours List.
During the pandemic when her mystery events were paused, she created Murder Mystery Investigations, online interactive Cold Cases to solve, and at the end of 2021 she won the international Players Choice Award for Online Games.
Joy Swift MBE is one of the shortlisted business leaders from across the nation to have been selected out of over 5,300 entrants – the most the awards has ever had.
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, in partnership with Starling Bank, acknowledges and champions the hard work and uplifting stories of business owners across the UK, with an emphasis on their journey and resilience over financial achievements.
Twelve awards will be given out per region for categories including Disruptor of the Year, Entrepreneur for Good Award, and the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year. Notable winners from previous years include Social Chain founder Steven Bartlett, who went on to become the youngest ever investor on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.
Swift said: “In my 40th anniversary year I am thrilled and honoured to receive this recognition and to be a Creative Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, in the Great British Entrepreneur of the Year, North West & Yorkshire and Humber Awards. I love writing and entertaining with my crime fiction plots, it has been a pleasure creating not only a career for myself, but a global industry of murder mystery events around the world. I am currently writing my 147th plot and look forward to creating more murder, mystery, and mayhem!”
The winners will be announced at a Grand Final, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on 21st November.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. The alumni has collectively generated over £30 billion in revenue and employed more than 450,000 people.
To mark the milestone year for the programme, entrants will have the chance to win over £30,000 worth of marketing support and a tree will be planted for every application submitted with the support of Ecologi.
Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said the quality of this year’s entrants exemplified the strength of entrepreneurship across the UK: “The quality of applications is consistently excellent year on year, but we have been especially blown away by the innovation, drive and determination demonstrated this year. Shortlisting from so many inspiring contenders has been more challenging than ever, with many deserving cases put forward and an ever-growing business community thriving across the country.
“From the pandemic to the ongoing cost of living crisis, business owners haven’t had it easy over the past few years, but it’s a testament to the tenacity and perseverance of these entrepreneurs that they have continued on their path and refused to give in.
“This year’s finalists should be so proud of what they’ve already achieved both in business and in being shortlisted for an award – we’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the Finals and unveiling the winners!”
Anne Boden MBE, Founder of Starling Bank, headline partner of the Awards, said: “Congratulations to all those businesses who have made the shortlist. It’s great to see the passion, resilience and amazing ingenuity from entrepreneurs across so many categories.”
To book your place at the Grand Final in London on 21st November, you can go to greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com
For the full list of finalists, visit greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com
ENDS
