Welcome to my journal.
Get an insight into my day-to-day work and my perspective on key issues.
Just IMAGINE if - Business was Always a Force of Good
The phrase 'just imagine if' has stayed with me throughout my life. Imagine a world of gender and racial equality. Imagine a world free from businesses polluting our environment. Imagine if we could make a genuine impact to reduce childhood obesity.
It's these dreams that led me to establish 'just IMAGINE if...', an annual, university-hosted, business-focused, non-profit competition to address the UN's Sustainable Development Goals - the 2019 final was at the University of Reading in February.
Just IMAGINE if - Nothing was Impossible
Just IMAGINE if... is an innovation and social enterprise competition designed to find business ideas to help address our global problems
The three little words 'just imagine if...' have started endless sentences in my head, ever since I was a toddler.
One Person Two Degrees and 30 Years of Perspective
In February I was humbled to be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Bristol. It was a surreal experience, getting robed up and entering the Great Hall to receive a degree exactly 30 years after I had first done so; and then giving a public lecture in the very building I attended lectures in, with my undergraduate textbooks and dreams.
London Weighs in with Renewed Action on Child Obesity
I became a food entrepreneur in my mid-thirties. The lightbulb moment, that trigger to do it, happened as I watched my daughter Ella grow up happily, 'winning' at her all-important journey towards turning two. She had every opportunity to be healthy, including nutritious food, a comfortable home and a supportive family. But I was acutely aware that not every child has the same opportunity at the start of their life.
Fizz Free February: A Campaign to Cut Sugar with a Recipe that Might Just Cut Through
Fizz Free February is a simple new campaign for children, young people and adults to cut out fizzy drinks for the 28 days of February.
Reading and Feeding Imaginations: How books open young minds to unlimited opportunities
Last week I had the privilege of attending a fundraising reception for Beanstalk, a small charity that recruits, trains and supports volunteers to provide consistent, one-to-one literacy support to early years and primary school children who need help. These helpers give such children the support they need to improve their reading ability and - crucially - their confidence. It's a charity that my family is proud to support, and they asked me to speak about why we do so. Here is the speech I gave…
Why It's Never a Bad Time to Pursue Export Opportunities
In turbulent economic times, it's tempting for entrepreneurs to batten down the hatches and stay put, lie low and wait for the storm to pass. Indeed, in times of uncertainty we must do all we can to prepare, plan and protect ourselves. And it's true we live in uncertain times. However, it's never been more vital that the UK's SME community sets its sights on the horizon, and actively pursues export opportunities with Europe and beyond.
Mike Ashley, Philip Green and Matthias Muller Are Only the Start - The Whole Corporate World Is Under Review
From tax evasion to emission scandals, to executive pay and working conditions, the last twelve months have been dominated by corporate scandal.
It is an issue that soared to the top of the agenda once again on Monday, when Theresa May announced her proposals to reform corporate governance and restore trust in business and politics alike.
Africa and Young People: Becoming Agents of Change
There are more people under the age of 20 in Africa, than anywhere else in the world, and the continent's population is set to double to two billion by 2050.
It is these young people that have the ideas, energy and creativity to make the world a better place - but only if they are given the opportunities to do so.
This week, I have been in Dublin for this year's One Young World Summit - a global forum for the world's future leaders.
High Risk, High Reward: How to Export Successfully
I started Ella's Kitchen in 2006 with the mission of improving children's lives by giving them a healthier relationship with food. Nearly ten years on, the business is now the UK's number one baby food brand and sold in over 40 territories worldwide.
I have always believed that business is the most important force for positive social change, and it became my ambition to create a company which could address the growing obesity epidemic among young people.
