Paul Lindley – from Ella’s Kitchen to tackling childhood obesity
Paul Lindley OBE is a renowned entrepreneur, best-selling author, and philanthropist whose career has been one of innovation and social responsibility.
In 2006, he founded the organic children’s food brand Ella’s Kitchen which has seen phenomenal success.
In the UK, it is the largest baby food business, amongst the 10 fastest growing private companies, and was one of the first certified B Corporations.
Paul’s work has been recognised globally, receiving numerous awards for his contributions to entrepreneurship and the food industry – including an OBE in 2019.
As well as founding Ella’s Kitchen, his other work includes being Chair of the London Child Obesity Taskforce.
Paul Lindley OBE, Entrepreneur
Paul began his career as a Chartered Accountant at KPMG, then spent nine years at the children’s TV network Nickelodeon, rising to become Deputy Managing Director.
In 2006, he founded Ella’s Kitchen, which believes in purpose as well as profit. Paul sold the company in 2013 and stepped away from it in 2018.
In 2017 his first book ‘Little Wins: The Huge Power of Thinking Like a Toddler’ was published. His second, ‘Raising the Nation: How to Build a Better Future for Children (and Everyone Else)’ will be published in 2023.
In 2018, Paul was appointed Chair of London’s Child Obesity Taskforce by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
In 2019 he founded just IMAGINE if… an annual innovation competition supporting entrepreneurial ideas designed to address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
In 2022 he was appointed Chancellor of the University of Reading.
Paul is Chair of Robert F Kennedy Human Rights UK, a director of the purpose led business Toast Ale, and is a Trustee of Sesame Workshop, the creators of Sesame Street.
Paul’s has received recognition as the UK’s Entrepreneur of the Year and Director of the Year, been awarded two honorary doctorates and was appointed an OBE in the 2019 New Year Honours.
Paul is a vocal advocate for entrepreneurship, for the evolution of capitalism towards better serving all of society, for a greater focus on ‘humanness’ in the way our economy and civil society are structured, and for children’s welfare. He campaigns for both public policy and societial behaviour changes in all of these crucial areas.
