Photo – Alan Mak MP meets Ella’s Kitchen founder Paul Lindley, guest speaker at the inaugural Havant Small Business Awards
The founder of a multi-million-pound children’s food company, Ella’s Kitchen, has thrown his weight behind the first ever Havant Small Business Awards. Paul Lindley will be the guest speaker at the awards ceremony, hosted by Havant MP Alan Mak, taking place at South Downs College on Friday 29th April.
The News is the media partner for the Havant Small Business Awards.
Lindley – a former accountant and television network executive – gave up work in 2004 to start up his own business providing fresh, fun and healthy food products to young children. His daughter, the eponymous focus of the Ella’s Kitchen brand, was his inspiration – motivating Paul to create ‘good food’ for the next generation.
From a modest family business, Ella’s Kitchen has grown into a brand of international acclaim. It is the UK’s largest baby food company and boasts worldwide annual revenues in excess of $100million. Paul himself was named Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2011 National Business Awards, and the business continues to grow with “Paddy’s Bathroom” – a new organic toddlers’ toiletries brand named after his son.
The entrepreneur will be the guest speaker at next month’s inaugural Havant Small Business Awards. Hosted by local MP Alan Mak, the awards celebrate and support the numerous independent and family firms in the local area.
Residents have until April 1st to cast votes for their favourite small businesses across twelve categories, from best café to best local tradesperson. Nominations can be made via the Havant MP’s official website www.alanmak.org.uk.
Paul Lindley said: “Small businesses are the backbone of our local and national economy, and it is great to see Alan promote them across Havant with this new annual event. I am delighted that Alan has asked me to speak at the first Havant Small Business Awards, an excellent initiative that backs local businesses”.
Lindley added: “Having taken my own business from a small family firm to an international brand, I am aware of the challenges that small businesses must face and overcome. At Ella’s Kitchen, the idea of giving better food to my children and their generation was the simple aim, and it has carried us forward.”
Havant MP Alan Mak said: “Ella’s Kitchen is a real success story – and I look forward to Paul coming to share his inspirational story with us at the awards ceremony at South Downs College. We’re delighted that a globally acclaimed business leader like Paul Lindley is throwing his support behind the Havant Small Business Awards."
Mak added: “Having grown up working in my family’s high street shop, I know how important our small businesses are across Havant. I’ve started the Havant Small Business Awards because it is vital we celebrate and showcase the best of local business. These small firms provide vital services, create jobs and strengthen our local economy – and my awards are designed to show the whole community is right behind them.”