Farming entrepreneur Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones is to be a keynote speaker at the UK Black Business Entrepreneurs Conference 2022, it has been confirmed.
The 63-year-old, who lives near Launceston in Cornwall and farms in Devon, is behind the award-winning Black Farmer food range. He was awarded an MBE for services to farming in 2019.
In 2020, he launched an online farm shop after sales began to soar amid the pandemic. It offers produce from across the West Country including free range, grass-fed meats and local deli produce, and Mr Emmanuel-Jones’ beer Brigg Stowe 1155 and Yokel Gold Cider.
Mr Emmanuel-Jones, who recently appeared on BBC Question Time, will be speaking on the topic of "building an empire and access to market” at the event, which takes place on Thursday, July 14, at the NatWest Conference Centre in London.
Other speakers at the conference, which is being organised by Aspire Consultancy in partnership with the Black Business Association (BBA) and diversity organisation MSDUK, include:
- Lord Michael Hastings, London Chamber of Commerce Black Business Association chair;
- Henry Bonsu, British African broadcaster, international presenter and journalist;
- Dr Carlton Brown, author of the Black Entrepreneur Report, entrepreneur and academic.
The event follows the publication of The Black Entrepreneurs Report 2021, which provides an insight into black entrepreneurship within the UK.
"[The Black Farmer] is confidently elevating the conversation for Black entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship across rural and urban England," a spokesperson for the event said.
"He is rightly proud of the Black Farmer brand, which encompasses more than his award-winning sausages. It encapsulates an extraordinary life."
Tickets to the day-long conference cost £75 (plus a sales fee) and include procurement workshops; speeches; panel discussions; and networking. Tickets can be booked through Eventbrite.
Know a black-owned business that has a story to tell? Send suggestions to hannah.baker@reachplc.com. You can also sign up to our black-owned business newsletter IAMBOB which covers all the news and views from Britain's black business community.
