Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE

Founder of The Black Farmer Brand & Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award Winner, Best-selling Author & Leading Voice for Rural Diversity

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones’ Biography:

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones is the visionary founder of the multi-million-pound food brand, The Black Farmer, a company known for championing high-quality, gluten-free British produce. His major achievements extend beyond business into advocacy for diversity in rural communities, primarily through The Black Farmer Scholarship, which encourages ethnic minorities from inner cities to gain farming experience. For his contributions to the sector, he was appointed an MBE for services to British farming in 2020 and received the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award for promoting Black History Month awareness in retail that same year.

Born in Jamaica, Emmanuel-Jones was raised in inner-city Birmingham after his parents immigrated as part of the Windrush generation. He overcame severe dyslexia, leaving school with no qualifications. His career path was unconventional: after training as a chef, he spent 15 successful years in television as a BBC Producer and Director, helping to launch the careers of several celebrity chefs. Following this, he founded his own successful food and drink marketing agency in London in 1994, promoting challenger brands.

In 2000, Emmanuel-Jones realised his lifelong dream by purchasing a farm on the Devon/Cornwall border. The nickname “The Black Farmer” from the locals inspired him to launch his food brand in 2004. The Black Farmer Scholarship, his diversity initiative, was later the subject of the Channel 4 series, Young Black Farmers. In 2017, he received the Diversity UK Lifetime Achievement Award. Furthering his commitment to mentorship, he established “The Hatchery” in 2019, an incubator scheme dedicated to supporting fledgling food brands. His academic recognition includes an Honorary Degree from Writtle University College and an appointment as an Independent Governor at the Royal Agricultural University.

As a highly sought-after speaker, Emmanuel-Jones is known for his passionate, motivational style, embodying the “anything is possible” attitude. He shares his story of overcoming adversity, stressing the value of courage and determination in challenging the status quo. He is the author of The Black Farmer Cookbook and the entrepreneurial memoir, Jeopardy: The Danger of Playing It Safe on the Path to Success. His talks focus on brand building, entrepreneurship, resilience, and the need for greater diversity in business.

Why Hire Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones?

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones is the ultimate speaker on resilience, entrepreneurship, and diversity. Having successfully overcome severe dyslexia and transformed his life from inner-city Birmingham to founding the multi-million-pound brand, The Black Farmer, he embodies the “anything is possible” attitude. He offers forthright, motivational insight on building a brand, challenging convention, and driving social change in agriculture and business, making him an inspirational choice for any audience.

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones’ Career Highlights:

Below showcases Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones’ inspirational career highlights throughout the world of farming:

• 2025 – Secured funding to launch dedicated “The Black Farmer” shops across the UK.
• 2022 – Appointed as an Independent Governor of the Royal Agricultural University.
• 2021 – Awarded an Honorary Degree for Distinction in the Farming Industry by Writtle University College.
• 2020 – Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to British farming.
• 2020 – Won the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award for his campaign promoting Black History Month awareness in retail.
• 2019 – Established “The Hatchery,” an incubator scheme supporting and mentoring fledgling food brands.
• 2018 – Published his highly acclaimed book, Jeopardy: The Danger of Playing It Safe on the Path to Success.
• 2017 – Received the Diversity UK Lifetime Achievement Award for championing inclusive entrepreneurship.
• 2012 – Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Marketing by Plymouth University.
• 2010 – Starred in the Channel 4 documentary: Cameron’s Black Tory, documenting his bid for political office.
• 2009 – Published The Black Farmer Cookbook.
• 2007 – Inspired the Channel 4 TV series Young Black Farmers, following his scholarship participants.
• 2005 – Established The Black Farmer Scholarship to encourage ethnic minorities into rural careers.
• 2004 – Launched the multi-million-pound food brand, The Black Farmer (focusing on gluten-free products).