Business (Ad)Ventures
Most people know me as the Founder of Ella’s Kitchen, the UK’s No.1 baby food brand and one of the first registered B-Corps. I believe business can be a transformational force for good, a powerful tool to tackle the challenges facing people and the planet, and a vital key to building an economy that works better for everyone.
Ella’s Kitchen
In 2004, I created Ella's Kitchen, which produces organic baby and children's food with a simple mission 'to improve children's lives by developing healthier relationships with food'. Since launch 2 years later, the business has grown into the UK's biggest baby food brand with an annual turnover of over £100M, having created around 200 jobs. The nature of the business has always mattered to me: due to a determination to use business as a force for good, we were certified as one of the UK's first B Corporations in 2016. In March 2018 the billionth portion of Ella's Kitchen's organic food was eaten - which had always been my key measurement for the success of the business. At that point, with my personal mission complete, I fully stepped away from the business. I am not involved in Ella’s Kitchen now, (but passionately still care for its mission, reputation and continued success!)
Paddy’s Bathroom
In 2014, I created Paddy’s Bathroom, which produced organic children's washing and hygiene products with a simple mission 'to improve children’s health and hygiene habits by safely making getting clean as fun as it was to get dirty'. Its products were fun and natural, containing no added chemicals, whilst its business model committed to creating safe clean water for children without such access. It grew to a £2M turnover business, created safe clean water access to thousands of children in Rwanda and Kenya, but failed to make a profit. I closed the business in 2018, losing much money but gaining invaluable experience about failure.
Toast Ale
I have invested in, and sit on the board of, Toast Ale, an environmentally focused enterprise which produces award-winning craft beers, made from fresh surplus bread and raises awareness of endemic food waste; all profits go to food waste initiatives.
Business Awards
UK Entrepreneur of the Year 2011
National Business Awards
UK Entrepreneur of the Year 2012
City AM Awards
SME Director of the Year Award 2013
Institute of Directors
International Director of the Year 2017
Institute of Directors
Officer of the Order of the British Empire 2019
For services to Exports in the Food and Drink Sector and to Children’s Welfare
Journal
