Richard Reed  West Yorkshire and studied Geography at St John’s College, Cambridge, after which he worked as an account manager in an advertising agency for four years

Richard Reed | The Start of Innocent Drinks

After graduating from Cambridge University, Richard and two friends decided to pursue their dream of creating a fresh fruit company. After six months spent perfecting their smoothie recipes in their kitchens, Innocent Drinks made its debut at a music festival.

The trio placed two bins outside their stall, labelled “YES” and “NO,” with a sign asking festival-goers, “Should we quit our jobs to make smoothies full-time?”

By the end of the day, the “YES” bin was overflowing with responses, giving them the confidence to resign from their jobs the following day.

Richard Reed | JamJar Investments

Launched in 2012, JamJar Investments embodies Richard’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to nurturing innovative businesses. Along with his Innocent co-founders Adam Balon and Jon Wright, the three businessmen sought to leverage their expertise to help other entrepreneurs achieve success.

JamJar primarily focuses on consumer-facing businesses, drawing on the founders’ extensive experience in building and scaling brands. JamJar’s philosophy is rooted in backing passionate entrepreneurs who want to create businesses that not only thrive financially but also make a positive impact on their industries and communities.

JamJar Investments has an impressive portfolio of investments in some of the most innovative and successful start-ups. Among the companies they have backed are:

– Deliveroo: The game-changing food delivery platform that has transformed how people order meals.
– Tails.com: A personalized pet food service tailored to individual pets’ dietary needs.
– Babylon Health: A pioneering digital healthcare provider offering AI-driven consultations and accessible medical services.
– Propercorn: A popular gourmet popcorn brand known for its creative flavours and strong ethical ethos.

Richard Reed CBE | Charitable Work

Richard co-founded the Reed Foundation, a charity dedicated to supporting impactful projects worldwide. The foundation focuses on education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, funding numerous initiatives that aim to improve lives and create lasting change.

As part of Innocent Drinks’ commitment to ethical business practices, Richard helped establish the Innocent Foundation in 2004. This charity supports projects addressing hunger, poverty, and food security in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. The foundation works with organizations like Action Against Hunger and Oxfam to ensure a meaningful impact.

Richard was a vocal supporter of the Make Poverty History campaign, which aimed to address global poverty through advocacy and policy change. His involvement underscored his commitment to tackling systemic issues and encouraging widespread participation in charitable causes.

Richard Reed CBE | Awards & Accolades

Richard Reed’s contributions to entrepreneurship and social impact have earned him numerous accolades, including being appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2016 for services to the food industry and charity.

In addition, Richard and Innocent Drinks have received the following awards and accolades:

– Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year

– Business Link for London Best Marketing Campaign

– National Business Awards Best Marketing Campaign

– Orange Innovative Company of the Year

– Britain’s Greatest Business at ITV’s Great Britons Awards

– Most Admired Business Leader by Marketing magazine

– National Business Awards’ Small/Medium Business of the Year

Richard Reed | TV

Richard is no stranger to television audiences in the UK. He served as a judge on BBC Two’s Be Your Own Boss, a reality show that aimed to inspire and support budding entrepreneurs, providing them with a unique opportunity to secure funding and mentorship for their business ideas.

In the show, Richard searched for innovative, high-potential start-ups across the UK. Using a £1 million investment fund provided by himself and his Innocent Drinks co-founders, he set out to discover and nurture the next generation of business leaders. Each episode featured Richard meeting entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries, evaluating their ideas, and deciding whether to invest in their vision.

The series offered a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making process of a seasoned investor and highlighted the challenges of pitching and developing a successful business.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book co-founder of Innocent Drinks Richard Reed for your next event.

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