When the financial crash hit in 2008, Mia Drennan wasn’t scared – she saw an opportunity to build something new. Up until the market collapse, big companies had been handed loans and had the terms negotiated and upheld by banks. As trust in these institutions faltered, Drennan dreamed up GLAS (Global Loan Agency Services), an impartial, reliable, white-glove debt administration service that could handle the middleman tasks and paperwork for large debts.
She and her business partner took a leap in 2011 and invested £6,000 into the idea – 15 years later, GLAS has 14 offices across the UK, US, EU, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai and is valued at a minimum of £1bn, with Drennan’s share worth roughly £230m. Drennan is EY’s 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year and will compete for the global title this year.
