Building Better Business

COOK is a hugely impressive company. Caring about people is in their DNA and they’re always coming up with new ways to help the people in their communities and see the potential in their staff.

The hand-made frozen food company has been ranked in the top 100 Best Companies To Work For every year since 2013 and Chief Creative Officer, James Rutter, shares how being people focused has been their recipe for success.

Andrew Ethuru, Kenyan tea farmer and former Cafédirect Board Director

Andrew gives us insights into where our tea comes from and why buying ethical tea that pays a fair price to farmers is vital in ensuring its future. We discuss how tea prices and climate change are the biggest challenges faced by tea farmers, which can only be combated collectively.

Andrew recalls his time as a Director on the Cafédirect Board and how his farming experience was valuable in shaping the business.

Hear his accounts of some of Cafédirect’s producer support programmes that worked alongside tea co-operatives to strengthen their businesses.

The power of enterprise, Danny Sriskandarajah, CEO Oxfam GB

Oxfam sees enterprise as a hugely powerful tool to tackle poverty, improve lives and livelihoods where it’s needed most.

CEO Danny Sriskandarajah notes how current levels of global consumerism are deeply unsustainable and that business as usual must change urgently so that resources are shared more fairly and to live safely within the planet’s boundaries.

Hear him explain the direct link between climate action and tackling poverty and hunger, both of which are on the rise as inequality rises in countries around the world.

Kate Sandle Director of Programmes and Engagement, B Corp UK.

Kate Sandle Director of Programmes and Engagement at B Lab tells us about B Corps who are leading the way in transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet.

Kate explains how business is the key to tackling the climate emergency, racial injustice and social inequality and offers insights into what support is on offer for businesses and how to get certified.

We discuss how society’s expectations of business have changed and how both business and the legal system needs to catch up with modern demands.

Claire Rhodes is CEO of Producers Direct, a charity set up by Cafedirect in 2009 to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Producers Direct is led by farmers and runs programmes to turn smallholder farms into sustainable businesses. Claire talks about the advantages of a charity led by international smallholder farmers and how its seen huge entrepreneurial successes by harnessing their knowledge.

With 80% of the world’s food and commodities coming from smallholder farmers, they are essential to our food and agricultural systems. As farmers battle with the effects of climate change Claire explains how urgently businesses need to protect and replenish the environment they operate in for the survival of their livelihoods and our food supply. And only by collaborating – across organisations and countries – can we do this.

This week’s guest is Sophi Tranchell, former Managing Director of Fairtrade chocolate brand Divine.

Sophi shares her experiences of 21 years leading a truly unique business that was set up by cocoa farmers in Ghana who also sit on the Board and own shares in the company.

Sophi recollects the thrills of working for a radical business model that has improved the lives of cocoa farmers in West Africa and through its success has been the catalyst for change in the chocolate industry.

Hear Sophi’s views on inhouse ethical certifications on chocolate and her excellent advice for those looking to start a purpose-driven business.

And for all of us as consumers, Sophi explains how shoppers can identify which companies are running their businesses responsibly, and which are not.

As head of Twin Trading Pauline Tiffen led the work to set up ground-breaking companies like Cafédirect and Divine Chocolate and created linkages for farmers and artisans from all over the world.

Pauline has worked to make trade fair for over 30 years: as company director, innovator, advisor, consultant and writer.
Pauline explains how she sees recent social movements like Black Lives Matter as an evolution of the fair trade movement and what consumers need to look out for when trying to buy ethically.

Pauline is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Fair Trade which brings together critical thinking on how to make trade fairer to people and planet – which is free to view online.

Our money has huge potential to create positive change.
In this episode we speak to Bevis Watts, UK CEO of sustainable bank Triodos. Triodos only invests in sustainable projects that benefit both people and planet. They work side by side with social enterprises and companies looking to invest in a brighter, purpose-driven future.

It’s clear banking needs to play a different role in society if we’re going to rectify our current climate crisis – investments need to be made based more on their societal value rather than the financial returns.

Hear Bevis explain why dramatic action needs to take place now – and why those businesses that don’t, will be left behind.

The leadership of any business is critical for its success – but what does that look like for a social enterprise? What challenges and advantages can be harnessed by a business with purpose, to compete in a competitive marketplace? And what should be an absolute priority to be a best-in-class business?

John Philips has over 30 years of experience in building successful global businesses and brands including DIAGEO, Barcardi and Fosters.

In recent years, John joined as Chair of Cafédirect where he has been instrumental in modernising the business. He shares his wisdom on the fundamentals to get right, both externally and internally, so that the business can deliver on people, planet and profit.

In an incredibly inspiring episode, Paul Chandler shows how the small actions of individuals can make big changes. And that we all hold the power to make positive change in our own way.

Paul is the previous Chief Executive of the online fair trade organisation, Traidcraft and former President of the European Fair Trade Association. He is a Board member of the Co-op Group amongst other Board positions within other ethical companies.

We discuss the need for the right guardianship in any business with purpose, to ensure it stays true to its values – and how credibility and diversity is critical for this.

Paul reflects on the growth of Fairtrade movement over his career, from a time when big corporations thought it had no future, to customers demanding Fairtrade products in their supermarkets.