Choose something you’re passionate about – Ambassador winner Marnie Millard wows awards night
The Ambassador award at the Business of the Year Awards 2024 went to Marnie Millard OBE, who is currently chair of UA92, Pura Foods, and Marks Electrical, and on the board of Applied Nutrition, which this week confirmed its plans to float.
“I’m just gobsmacked, it’s a real accolade” she said. “Whether it’s my charitable work, or the other work I do, it’s all as part of a team.
“We all get choices in life. When you have a choice in your career to do something that you really care about and you are really passionate about, that’s the best choice you can have.”
Looking to the future, she said the attraction of Applied Nutrition and boutique university UA92 is that they are disruptive and insurgent challengers.
“I think there’s a bit of a theme in my portfolio. I’ve always worked with businesses that are disruptors. You know, my life at Vimto in every market I went into, I was up against Coke, Pepsi, Red Bull, everything. And if you look at my portfolio now, Purer, sustainable nappies, a B Corp, we’re up against Pampers. UA92 rubs against all the big guys in higher education.
“There are great businesses based up in the North West. The markets are not easy, but the business model is good, and the right outcome will come out of it all,” she said.
Professor Andy Schofield, Marnie Millard, Gary Neville, Sara Prowse
She also shared stories about working at UA92 with polymath entrepreneur, TV presenter, investor and former footballer Gary Neville, revealing that she is only one of three people he truly listens to – the others being his wife Emma and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Her award was presented by Emma Suchland from PwC’s Private Business team, who read out a “teaser citation” that built up with the impressive details of her successful career to date.
It read: “We wanted to present this final award to someone who has applied their leadership skills and talents across a wide range of organisations, from iconic global businesses to the grassroots of our society to truly put something back.
“Her career spans over 25 years in the soft drinks industry, including her leadership at Nichols PLC, the home of Vimto, where she served as Group Chief Executive until December 2020.
“Currently, she holds a impressive non-executive director portfolio that includes Chair of the Boards at UA92, Pura, and Marks Electrical PLC, and Remuneration Committee Chair for Applied Nutrition Ltd. She is also a non-executive director for Belvoir Fruit Farms. Her previous roles include Chair of the Board at Kidly Ltd and NED at Finsbury Food Group PLC.
“Passionate about inclusivity and talent development, she is a Fellow of the Society of Leadership Fellows at St. George’s House and a Board Mentor at Critical Eye. She also served as Chair for the CBI in the Northwest for three years and was an Advisor to the Board of International Trade, which led to her being awarded an OBE in 2018 for her services to international trade and business in the region.
“Not only that, but her experience has positioned her on the board of Applied Nutrition, as an independent director of one of the region’s most exciting businesses, which is currently preparing for the biggest stock market float of the year.
“Beyond her impressive corporate roles, she is dedicated to philanthropic efforts, currently supporting Farm Africa’s Grow for Good campaign in Kenya, which focuses on empowering women through sustainable agricultural initiatives.
“As the former Group Chief Executive of one of the region’s most iconic businesses, we can all raise a glass of the North West’s “purple magic juice”—Vimto—to her success tonight.”
