Jo Fairley | Business Speaker and Entrepreneur

Josephine Fairley began her career in journalism after leaving school at 16 with six O Levels. By the age of 23, she had become the UK’s youngest-ever magazine editor, editing Look Now and later Honey. Her work as a journalist gave her valuable experience in communication, PR and brand-building, skills that would later play a major role in her entrepreneurial career.

In 1991, Jo Fairley and her husband Craig Sams co-founded Green & Black’s, the pioneering organic chocolate brand. What began as a niche venture grew into a global chocolate name and helped bring organic and Fairtrade products to a much wider audience.

In 1994, Green & Black’s Maya Gold became the first product in the UK to receive the Fairtrade Mark. The company went on to become one of the country’s best-known ethical food brands, showing that commercial success and strong values could work together.

Green & Black’s was acquired by Cadbury in 2005 for an undisclosed sum widely reported to be around £20 million. Jo continued her association with the chocolate brand as an ambassador, sharing the story behind the business and the lessons she learned while helping to build it.

Jo and Craig Sams later captured their experience in Sweet Dreams: The Story of Green & Black’s, which explores the journey from an entrepreneurial idea to an internationally recognised brand.

Jo Fairley as an Entrepreneur

Green & Black’s is only one part of Jo Fairley’s entrepreneurial story. Her other ventures have included Judges Bakery, an award-winning organic bakery and food store in Hastings, and The Wellington Centre, a boutique wellbeing centre.

Jo also co-founded The Perfume Society with Lorna McKay, combining her interests in fragrance, publishing and specialist consumer communities. Although she has since exited the business, she has remained closely involved in fragrance publishing and co-authored The Perfume Bible with McKay.

Alongside her business ventures, Jo continued her work as a journalist and author. With Sarah Stacey, she created Beauty Bible, a bestselling series of beauty books built around independent product testing and practical advice. Their work has developed into a long-running beauty platform covering skincare, beauty, wellbeing and fragrance.

Her experience across food, beauty, publishing, fragrance and wellbeing gives Jo a broad perspective on how businesses can find their niche, build loyal audiences and create brands that stand out in competitive markets.

Jo Fairley as a Keynote Speaker

As a keynote speaker, Jo Fairley draws on first-hand experience of entrepreneurship, leadership and building businesses through periods of change. Green & Black’s was launched during a recession, giving her a particularly useful perspective on resilience, adaptability and making careful business decisions when conditions are difficult.

Jo’s presentations cover subjects including entrepreneurship, sustainable business, leadership, women in business, change management and brand development. Her background as a magazine editor, journalist and entrepreneur also gives her valuable insight into PR and brand-building.

Rather than presenting entrepreneurship as a straightforward success story, Jo shares the decisions, challenges and lessons that shaped her business journey. She brings practical experience of launching ventures, developing brands and responding to changing markets.

For event hosts looking for keynote speakers with genuine business experience, Jo offers a combination of entrepreneurial insight and an engaging personal story. She speaks to corporate audiences, business leaders, entrepreneurs, educational organisations and women’s networking groups in the UK and internationally.

Josephine Fairley’s experience as a co-founder, entrepreneur, journalist and author makes her a strong choice for events exploring entrepreneurship, purposeful business, brand-building and the realities of turning an idea into a successful venture.