Josephine Fairley first embarked into the world of business back in the 1990s, working alongside her partner Craig Sams to co-found Green & Black’s. Pioneering the field of Fairtrade produce, Jo and Craig’s chocolate became the very first product to carry a Fairtrade mark. After experiencing many profitable and successful years with the brand, quickly becoming a leading confectioner in the UK, Jo and Craig came to the decision of selling Green & Black’s to Cadbury in 2005. Despite selling the brand, Jo is still involved and holds the passion to see further development of Fairtrade produce. What started as a small organic chocolate company has since bloomed into a £100 million business, a testament to Jo’s prowess as a businesswoman.
After witnessing the success of Green & Black’s, Jo was inspired to embark further in the business world and establish more enterprises. The thriving Green & Blacks had fostered a serial entrepreneurial passion in Jo, and so she since founded Judges Bakery, The Wellington Centre and The Perfume Society. The Judges Bakery is an award-winning organic food store and bakery, furthering Jo’s passion for Fairtrade and more eco-friendly food production. She also established The Wellington Centre, a wellbeing centre established with her husband Craig to emphasise the importance of natural health, wellbeing and holistic practices. A further testament to her incredible business knowledge, Jo also founded The Perfume Society after realising that there was a gap in the market for a perfume subscription and appreciation service. Jo is also a regular contributor to the Daily Mail, writing in their health and beauty columns, and has also contributed to Natural Health, Elle, Harpers & Queens, YOU Magazine, Waitrose Food and Waitrose Weekend. She is also the co-founder of Beauty Bible, bringing audiences breaking beauty news.
Her erudite work in the business sector have granted Jo a reputation as a serial entrepreneur and has also landed her countless awards. In reward of both Green & Black’s and Judges Bakery, Jo has been the recipient of the WorldAware Award and has also received numerous Soil Association Awards. She has also been bestowed with The Shackleton Medal for Leadership and Citizenship by The Scottish Royal Geographical Society and has been gifted an Honorary Doctorate in Business, awarded from Kingston University. She is also a three-time winner of the Fragrance Foundation’s Jasmine Award, crediting Jo’s excellence in fragrance journalism. In addition to winning awards, Jo has also acted as a judge on a number of award panels. Previously she has judged for the YOU/ Clarins Dynamisante Woman of the Year Awards, the HSBC Business Thinking Awards and the RSPCA Good Business Awards.
After enjoying an illustrious career, Jo now dedicates her time to travelling the world delivering talks as a public speaker. She is known to cover topics such as women in business, change management, entrepreneurialism, sustainable business and leadership, all topics and skills she has experienced through her career. Having previously worked with FTSE 100 companies, Jo is a respected industry leader who is authoritative in her addresses. Passionate, eloquent and knowledgeable Josephine Fairley is the perfect addition to inspire corporate audiences to follow in her incredible business footsteps.
Most recently, Jo Fairley was inducted into the Top Speakers to Book for International Women's Day, recognising her achievements as a successful businesswoman.
