William Kendall, founder of The New Covent Garden Soup Company, has a wealth of experience from building several brands throughout his career.
During this event, William will share stories and experiences from the different brands that played a part in his life, focusing on the new adventures with Cawston Press and LA Brewery. William will discuss the brand story of LA Brewery, while attendees can enjoy a tasting of the brand's delicious Kombucha.
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18:00 - 18:30
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Reception Drinks
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18:30 - 19:30
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Presentation followed by Kombucha tasting and Q & A
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19:30 - 21:00
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Networking & Nibbles
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William read law at Cambridge University and completed an MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University College Suffolk. In his twenties he had short careers as an army officer, a barrister and an investment banker. Over nine years he built up The New Covent Garden Soup Company before selling it to a public company. He and several colleagues then bought the embryonic Green & Black’s from its founder and grew it to an international brand which they sold to Cadburys in 2005.
William and two partners formed Nemadi Advisors in 2000 to advise and finance early stage businesses. Over the years, he has developed experience in such diverse sectors as London restaurants, flower retailing, natural insulation, pottery, specialist concrete, bovine genetics and building hotel chains.
He is advisor to or director of many organisations, both public and private including Cawston Press, a fast growing premium soft drinks brand, Samworth Brothers, a large, family owned food manufacturer and, main market listed investment trust, Keystone. He is a Trustee of The Grosvenor Estate and director of Wheatsheaf, the holding company of Grosvenor’s non-property businesses which concentrates on, amongst others, agri-tech opportunities. He is also a Trustee of Gascoigne Cecil Estates which oversee the assets of the Marquess of Salisbury and the Cecil family. He is a Trustee of Snape Maltings an internationally renowned art and music organisation most famous for the annual Aldeburgh Festival.
William farms organically and conventionally in East Anglia. He is an active environmentalist and a campaigner for better food and rural issues. He is President of The Suffolk Wildlife Trust. He speaks and writes regularly on these issues as well as on innovation and the creation and fostering of entrepreneurial cultures in all types of organisation. He was High Sheriff of Suffolk 2016 - 2017 and maintains links with many NGOs and volunteering organisations within the county.
William lives in coastal Suffolk, where he is a Deputy Lieutenant, with his wife and two daughters.