Untold: Behind the Scenes in the UK Food & Drink Industry

In this episode we chat with Joe Taylor, Co-Founder of Real Handful. Joe tells the dramatic story of a product recall that happened in while launching into  a major supermarket. He talks openly about how he managed to pull  through the episode and what he learned about looking after his mental health in the process.  Joe Taylor is the Co-Founder, with his wife Carly, of Real Handful snacks.  Prior...

In this episode we chat with Olly about the early days of Olly's Olives. Olly tells us how  he almost quit but managed to persist through the grind of knocking on doors, late nights of packing olives and being let down by funders. Olly turned down Medical School in 2017 to launch Olly's Olives and chase the snacking dream! Having built the business up from the West London Market stall, Olly's now...

In this episode we caught up with the Renée Elliott, Founder of Planet Organic. Renée shares the story of how her co-founder tried to remove her from the business she had built culminating in an 11-day battle at the High Court. Renée lives and breathes her holistic approach to health. She shares her tips on how to stay healthy and sane in turbulent times. Renée founded Planet Organic, the first or...

In this episode Ed Woolner shares with us the story of POW, an energy drinks company that he founded in 2014 and closed down in 2018. Ed speaks openly about deciding to close the business down after building up wide distribution in the multiples.  Growing up in wales Ed knew from a young age he wanted to live by the sea and never left it moving from Swansea to West Dorset straight after University...

We are back for Season 2! Our first guest is Ed Hauck co-founder of the Curators. We chat with Ed about his career in FMCG and the early days of setting up the Curators. Ed opens up about the challenges of getting manufacturing up and running in the early days and the journey of finding the right product. Ed Hauck has had a colourful 20-year career in FMCG spanning household names such as L'Oreal,...

In this episode we catch up with Lucy Wager about her seven year journey with Pudology.  Lucy shares her story about closing down Pudology after building distribution in the multiples all while growing a family.  An experienced product developer turned entrepreneur, Lucy launched a first-to-market plant-based brand, Pudology in 2012 and has more recently become co-founder of free from kids brand L...

In this episode we chat with Mark Palmer about difficult times during his career in marketing. Mark shares some fascinating insights from his time at Green & Black's during the Cadbury takeover and how he navigated through the transition period.  Mark’s career in marketing began at United Biscuits, where he worked on promoting popular snack brands including McCoy’s and Hula Hoops. Moving on to...

John Stapleton needs no introduction in the UK food and beverage industry. He is a founder, mentor and investor who has definitely been there and done that. In this episode we catch up with him about his experiences with Glencoe Foods Inc. John speaks candidly about the decisions leading to closing it down and the life lessons he gained from it. John Stapleton is a founder member of the start-up t...

In this episode we chat with Mike Stevens Co-Founder of Peppersmith about a rough period when he was seriously considering administration. He shares the dramatic story of how he got through this time and managed to build the business back and exit in 2018. Mike started his career working for a US Software company. He was one of the first employees at Innocent where he spent 8 years.  Mike founded...

In this episode we chat with Fiona Fitzpatrick from Brand Growth Heroes about some very challenging times in her 20+ year CPG career. Fiona speaks very openly about her struggles with eating disorders and how therapy is a fantastic tool for founders and business leaders alike.    Fiona Fitzpatrick is the host of the Brand Growth Heroes Podcast, which uncovers the fascinating stories of game changi...

In this episode we catch up with Hugh Duffie, co-founder of Sandows, UK pioneer of cold brew coffee. Hugh speaks candidly about the experience of closing the business down in 2020.  A barista by training, Hugh co-founded Sandows in 2014. Since deciding to close Sandows in 2020, Hugh has been working as a consultant focusing on strategy, positioning, E-Commerce and digital marketing for fledgling D...

In this episode we catch up with Andy Allen, partner at Biff's Kitchen. Andy opens up about how he navigated through the complex emotions of transitioning from one start up to the next. Andy is a self confessed ‘F&B start up geek’, who’s currently involved with a number of brands. His day job is as commercial director and partner of Biff’s kitchen, which is the UK’s leading plant based deliver...

In this episode we catch up with Jason Gibb Co-Founder of the must attend Bread & Jam events. He bravely opens up about his experiences of setting up multiple food businesses and partnerships.  Jason is an experienced food and drink entrepreneur with a colourful career path – he has been a successful TV producer, a book author, a PhD-qualified biochemist and an olive oil producer. His career i...

In this episode we chat with legendary entrepreneur and investor Giles Brook. Giles shares his stories about leaving Vita Coco and selling Bear. Giles also talks about how he actively encourages founders to manage their mental health. His recent investment in Bio&Me also raises the hot topic of the link between mental health and gut health. Giles Brook is a renowned serial start up CEO, entrep...

In this episode we catch up with Thea Alexander, co-founder of Young Foodies about helping the Young Foodies community navigate through 2020.  Thea started her career in banking and went on to Proper where she worked as a Director of Operations. Thea co-founded Young Foodies in 2017 to support high growth challenger brands with training, advice and community. The Young Foodies community includes m...

In this episode we chat with Dan Broughton from Dalston's Soda Co about navigating some of the trickiest periods of his career in the food & beverage industry. Dan started his career at PJ Smoothies and went on to Green & Blacks, Cadburys and Cawston Press before we he co-founded Dalston's Soda Co in 2016.

In this episode we chat with Anthony Fletcher about how he managed the aftermath of a dramatic overnight change in cost structure that put their whole business model in question. Anthony Fletcher is an experienced leader with an impressive career at Graze.com the UK’s number one healthy snack brand. Over the past ten years Anthony was responsible for taking the business to the US, achieving a $32m...

Say hello to Untold. The brand new podcast where we go behind the scenes in the food and drink industry to discuss the stories that are not normally told. Join us for stories about sleepless nights, fallouts- all the craziness that goes on when no one is watching. We started this podcast at this unprecedented time because we wanted to shed a light on founders' mental health. Never more than now ha...