Paul Barry-Walsh

Barry-Walsh was born in London and won a scholarship to Rossall School in 1966. He read Economics at Liverpool University from 1973–1976. After a brief spell at Metal Box he joined IBM where he worked in sales for nine years. In 1985 he left to form Safetynet which became one of the UK's leading providers of Business Continuity Services. He went on to found Netstore in 1996.

In February 1999 he led the management buyout of his partner at Safetynet and became CEO and majority shareholder. During 2000 Safetynet was sold to Guardian IT for £170 million.

Netstore floated on the main market in 2000. Paul became Chief Executive of Netstore for 12 months in September 2001 and again for 9 months in 2006 whilst remaining Chairman throughout. Netstore was sold to 2E2 in October 2008.

He currently sits on the Liverpool University Development Board and recently joined the Beacon Board.

Barry-Walsh founded Fredericks Foundation in 2001 which has gone on to become a significant microfinance organisation in the UK. Fredericks helps disadvantaged individuals enter into self-employment as a means to achieve financial independence and renewed confidence and self-esteem. It has funded over 600 businesses and is acknowledged as having one of the lowest cost bases for its output. Fredericks is now planning a number of hubs throughout the UK.

He is involved with a number of businesses that he has financed including Bluesource, Frank Investments,Purpose Software and Farm Power. He brought the 'Dans le Noir' restaurant (eating in the dark concept) to London in 2006.

All his investments give 1% of their profits to the Foundation.

In April 2008 Barry-Walsh was granted the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion[1] and in November 2008 won the Beacon Award for Creative Giving. In 2011 he was awarded the inaugural Entrepreneur's Entrepreneur award. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to enterprise and charity.[2]

Barry-Walsh lives in Hampshire with his wife Jane and they have a daughter and a son.