Young Achievers of the Year 2007

Will Beckett & Huw Gott, owners and founders of the Underdog Group

Although yet to celebrate their 30th birthdays, Will Beckett and Huw Gott, better-known as the Underdog Group, have opened three of London’s most talked about venues in the past 18 months: Green & Red, Hawksmoor and The Marquess Tavern.

Since setting up their first bar, The Redchurch, in 2003, Beckett and Gott have been responsible for upping the profile of Tequila and restoring consumer faith in Mexican food. Becket says: “We are passionate about what we do. Mexican food, traditional British food, steak, cocktails, wine and beer were personal interests long before they became business concepts.”

The pair have also set up their own consultancy business advising people on how to set up and run a licensed business. The recently opened Hideaway bar in Archway, north London, was their first project.

The company also has plans to launch the Underdog training programme “to provide people with the necessary training and qualifications to have a long, successful career in the bar industry”. Beckett will be publishing his first book, An Appetite for Ale, later on this year.

One of the judges said: “These two show obvious commercial talent, they have expanded their business incredibly quickly in a difficult environment. They have demonstrated a talent for consumer targeting, an entrepreneurial spirit and managed to make the transition into consultancy pretty seamlessly – a formidable partnership.”

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