TORONTO, ON and TAMPA, FL–(Marketwired – Dec 5, 2016) –  Cott Corporation (NYSE: COT) (TSX: BCB) (the “Company” or “Cott”) announced that its CEO Jerry Fowden received the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2016 National Category Award for Retail and Consumer Products. Now in its 30th year, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Mr. Fowden was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at EY’s Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, CA on November 19.

“Since I became CEO at Cott, we have seen significant changes in the beverage market as consumers have become increasingly health conscious. In response to these changes we developed a strategy to diversify Cott towards a lower risk, higher margin business focused on better for you beverages and healthy hydration,” commented Jerry Fowden, Cott’s Chief Executive Officer. “I am pleased to be recognized for Cott’s achievements and success and I want to thank all of our employees, Board of Directors and shareholders for their work and support over the last few years,” continued Mr. Fowden.

Since 1986, EY has honored entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, spirit of innovation, and discipline have propelled their companies’ success, invigorated their industries, and benefited their communities. Now in its 30th year, the program has honored the inspirational leadership of entrepreneurs including Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company, Robert Unanue of Goya Foods, and Mindy Grossman of HSN. Recent US national winners include Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn; Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of Chobani; and 2015 winners Andreas Bechtolsheim and Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks.

Over the last 30 years, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award program has demonstrated a unique ability to identify the traits that lead companies to join the ranks of the some of the world’s most successful companies. The vast majority of winners have far outpaced the US market in terms of stock price returns, job creation, and longevity. EY examined the attributes of these businesses in a recent report, Lasting Legacies on November 19.

Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are sponsored nationally by SAP America, Merrill Corporation, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

About Cott Corporation
Cott is a diversified beverage company with the largest volume-based national presence in the North America and European home and office bottled water delivery industry, a leader in custom coffee roasting and blending of iced tea for the U.S. foodservice industry, and one of the world’s largest producers of beverages on behalf of retailers, brand owners and distributors. Our platform reaches over 2.3 million customers or delivery points across North America and Europe supported by strategically located sales and distribution facilities and fleets, as well as wholesalers and distributors. This enables us to efficiently service residences, businesses, restaurant chains, hotels and motels, small and large retailers, and healthcare facilities.

Website: www.cott.com

About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year^®

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.