Edinburgh businessman to appear on BBC show Dragons' Den to pitch corporate charity football events business
An Edinburgh businessman is set to appear on BBC show Dragons' Den to pitch his corporate charity football events business.
Edinburgh-based entrepreneur John McClarey, founder of corporate charity sports events company Business Fives, is to appear on the hit TV show next Thursday, February 19, on BBC One. and BBC iPlayer.
Business Fives was founded 10 years ago by Mr McClarey without seed investment, starting as a single charity sports event in the capital. From those early beginnings, the business has grown into a multi-location operation spanning more than 50 cities across the UK and Ireland, as well as Europe.
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.
Speaking ahead of the broadcast, Mr McClarey 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.”
Business Fives delivers professionally-organised football, golf, mixed touch rugby and esports events, bringing businesses together while raising money for thousands of charitable causes, while promoting employee engagement and networking.
Now working with high-profile clients such as PwC, EY, eBay, HSBC and Sky, Mr McClarey has helped raise in excess of £1 million for good causes.
Viewers will be able to see how the Edinburgh businessman fares as he presents his business to the current Dragons - Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett - on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with the programme airing on Thursday, February 19.