NIGHT OWL
Amid a successful career as an entrepreneur — including achieving the OBE award in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in 2016 for services to the economy and voluntary sector — Dr. Terry Cross OBE continues to transform numerous opportunities into thriving business ventures whose success only fuels him to pursue more possibilities.
He talks about the Hinch Distillery as a product of his “love for exceptional beverages and a relentless pursuit of opportunities.”
It was in 2000 when he acquired a Renaissance Chateau along with a vineyard, Chateau de La Ligne, out of the Bordeaux region in France. He transformed the chateau and revitalized the vineyard, the source of their wines for export.
But Dr. Cross also had a fascination with quality spirits and was keen on pursuing a distillery, which he did. In 2019, he started to introduce the products of Hinch Distillery, and while the pandemic hampered a full launch at that time, they are now in full blast.
Dr. Cross describes this decision to expand his drinks portfolio not only to capitalize on potential, but also to craft a product with a story deeply rooted in Northern Ireland.
In fact, the Hinch Distillery offers a guided tour that will allow visitors to see their distilling operations and also appreciate the skills and craftsmanship behind a world-class Irish whiskey.
Sustainable pursuits
Dr. Cross also has an extensive career in the package industry having led the Delta Print and Packaging Limited for over three decades. Backed by that experience and with a purpose to contribute to a better world through innovative and sustainable practices, Biopax was born.
“I set out to overhaul consumer packaging solutions in Great Britain and the European Union, advocating for a circular economy in fibre packaging. We aim to reduce landfill waste and curb the release of harmful chemicals into our ecosystem, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable world,” he explains of Biopax.
In Biopax, they use packaging sourced from sustainably managed forests, they reduce their food waste, and they encourage recyclability. They also exclusively use inks, varnishes, and coatings that are free of harmful substances.
Dr. Cross stressed that this commitment to chemical-free packaging reflects their dedication to people and the planet.
Even at the Hinch Distillery, he advocates for sustainability by working with the Woodland Trust to plant 12,500 trees throughout the estate.
A heart for charity
For Dr. Cross, charity is an integral part of his work. He describes his philanthropic pursuits as a meaningful counterbalance to his commercial endeavors. It is a personal commitment for him.
He has served as the President of the British Red Cross since 2008. Moreover, in memory of his son who passed away from malignant melanoma at the age of 33, he established the David Cross Foundation for Peace and Reconciliation, which supports research programs at Ulster University, with special focus on early detection projects and raising awareness about the dangers of excessive sun exposure, which could lead to melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer.
Supporting local charities has been his way of giving back and contributing to the betterment of communities. His philanthropic endeavors are focused on the youth and cross-community initiatives to improve employment prospects for the youth.
With all his global commercial pursuits and his philanthropic works that fill his days, it’s hard to imagine how he is able to accomplish everything he aims for.
But as he shares with this author, it is important to be passionate in everything that you do. Determination, persistence, and a “never give up” attitude are equally vital too.
To aspiring entrepreneurs and career-driven individuals, Dr. Cross has this advice: “Take ownership of decisions, work relentlessly toward your dreams, and remain resilient when life unfolds differently than expected. Embrace the lessons from both successes and setbacks, as they foster personal growth.”