Bread Baron Laurent Boillon Crowned EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Australia 2026
Sydney, Australia – October 15, 2025 – Laurent Boillon, the visionary founder of Laurent Bakery, has been honoured with the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ award for Australia in 2026. The announcement was made at a national awards ceremony in Sydney, celebrating the pinnacle of Australian business achievement. Boillon, originally from Aix-en-Provence in France, will now represent Australia on the global stage, competing for the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 title in Monaco.
A Journey of Artisanal Excellence
Boillon’s entrepreneurial journey began in Melbourne in 1993 when he founded Laurent Bakery, bringing artisanal French baking to Australian shores. With a passion for pastry-making ignited in his youth, Boillon honed his craft through extensive travel across Europe and the Caribbean before settling in Australia. His dedication to quality and innovation led to the development of a world-first method for supplying fully baked, frozen artisanal sourdough products to supermarkets. This innovation not only transformed his business but also significantly influenced the Australian bread market, earning him recognition for changing the nation’s bread culture.
Today, Laurent Bakery operates 18 stores and two production facilities, delivering premium pastries and breads across Australia and internationally. The business has expanded its reach, supplying products to major retailers like Coles and serving international markets including New Zealand, China, Singapore, and the UK. Boillon’s sons, Pierce and Tristan, have since joined him in the business, signifying a strong family legacy.
Celebrating Australia’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award, now celebrating its 25th anniversary in Australia, recognises leaders who demonstrate exceptional innovation, ingenuity, and determination. This year’s event saw Laurent Boillon selected from a field of 22 national finalists. Naomi Simson, chair of the independent judging panel and a prominent Australian businesswoman, praised the high calibre of entries, stating, “The quality of entries for the 25th anniversary of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year award is a true testament to Australia’s entrepreneurial spirit”. Simson further commented on Boillon’s success, noting, “Laurent has demonstrated truly innovative ways of scaling artisanal, delicious food and making them available for everyone. He has developed markets abroad and at home, and he has an incredible growth story and trajectory”.
Colin McNeil, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Australia Program Leader, highlighted the collective achievements of the winners, stating, “This year’s national winners set the standard for Australian entrepreneurship through their innovation, ingenuity, and determination. Their achievements span industries and sectors and are the driving force behind the country’s economic growth and prosperity”.
A Strong Field of National Winners
Boillon was also awarded the Industry category winner, joining other distinguished entrepreneurs who received national category accolades. Among the notable winners were:
* Emerging Winner: David McGiveron and Bianca Tarrant, Our Cow.
* Services Winner: Matthew Rear, PPS Water Group.
* Technology Winner: Ben Thompson, Employment Hero.
* Social Impact Winner: Ashley van de Velde, LifeFlight.
These individuals represent the diverse landscape of Australian business innovation and impact. The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program has a long-standing tradition, with over 1,700 entrepreneurs in its alumni community in Australia, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy, with past winning firms generating billions in revenue and creating tens of thousands of jobs.
Looking Ahead: Global Competition in Monaco
As the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ for Australia, Laurent Boillon is set to compete on the world stage at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 global competition in Monaco. This event brings together national winners from over 60 countries, highlighting the global reach and impact of entrepreneurial ventures. Boillon’s success underscores the enduring power of artisanal dedication combined with modern business strategy, a combination that has clearly resonated with judges and consumers alike.
