Richard Reed is best known as the Co-Founder of Innocent Drinks and Jamjar Investments. Since its inception in 1999, Innocent Drinks has evolved from a small startup to a global leader in healthy beverages, winning awards such as Innovative Company of the Year. Richard is now frequently sought after as a sustainability speaker, renowned for his insight into the intersection of business, ethics, and environmental responsibility.
Richard’s entrepreneurial journey began at the age of eight, when he first set up small businesses. His passion for entrepreneurship led him to co-found Innocent Drinks, which started by selling smoothies at a music festival. After receiving overwhelming support from festival-goers, Richard and his co-founders made the bold decision to leave their jobs and pursue their venture full-time. Innocent’s unique, friendly brand voice and commitment to healthier living helped propel the company to success, with an expanding product range that includes veg pots, smoothies, juices, and vegan drinks.
In recent years, Richard has continued to drive innovation and sustainability through his work. Innocent Drinks, now employing 350 staff with a turnover exceeding £200 million, was sold to Coca-Cola in 2013, cementing its status as Europe's largest smoothie brand. Richard's commitment to social responsibility is also evident through the company’s donations to international charities and his own charitable work, including founding The Innocent Foundation. His published book, “If I Could Tell You Just One Thing...”, shares valuable life advice from remarkable individuals, with proceeds going to mentoring and social inclusion causes.
Richard is in high demand as a speaker due to his compelling journey and dedication to sustainability. He has spoken at prestigious events for companies like Allianz and IBM and delivered a TEDx talk 'How to Catch a Success Monkey'. His unique combination of business expertise, ethical values, and passion for sustainability make him a sought-after speaker for corporate events, helping organisations understand how to thrive while making a positive impact on the world.
