Co-founder of Leon, food campaigner, speaker and non-executive director.
Before founding Leon, Henry worked at Bain & Company, working on private equity transactions and helping large companies to develop their strategies. Previously he was a journalist at the Daily Telegraph and a commis chef at the Michelin-starred Inn on the Park restaurant in London.
Henry is a regular speaker on how to create a purpose-lead business and how to create a better food system. He is the co-founder and chair of Chefs in Schools and sits on the board of Rockfish. He also advises the CEOs of a handful of high growth leisure businesses.
Biography
Published Ravenous: How to get ourselves and our planet into shape. The Sunday Times bestseller. A manifesto for revolutionising our food system.
'Gripping' - India Knight
'Gripping' - India Knight
Published part two of the National Food Strategy, the most ambitious review of the UK food system for 70 years. This set out how we can create a food system that not only provides enough food, but keeps us and the planet healthy. The government included a number of the recomendations in its Levelling Up white paper and is due to respond fully in 2022.
Leon sold to the EG group, owners of Asda
Published part one of the National Food Strategy, an independent review of the food system for government. This led directly to the roll out across the country of the Holiday Activity and Food programme and an increase in the value of Healthy Start vouchers which provide free fruit and vegetables to less affluent families with young children.
Founded Chefs in Schools with former Ottolenghi chef Nicole Pisani (pictured) and Hackney head teacher Louise Nichols. The charity recruits restaurant chefs to work in schools, improving both school lunches and food education.
Appointed Lead Non-Executive Director at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Launched London Union with Jonathan Downey, which at one point ran four wonderful night markets in London. Finally ended by COVID in 2020.
Awarded MBE for work on improving school food.
Published the School Food Plan, an independent review for government written with John Vincent. Among other things, it led directly to the introduction of Universal Free School meals for all infants and cookery lessons for all children up to the age of 14.
Wrote Leon: Fast Vegetarian with Jane Baxter
Wrote Leon: Baking and Puddings with Claire Ptak
Wrote Naturally Fast Food with John Vincent
Launched the Sustainable Restaurant Association, co-founded with Mark Sainsbury, Giles Gibbons, and Simon Heppner.
Launched Leon restaurants, with the first branch opening in Carnaby street. (Photo with co-founders John Vincent and Allegra McEvedy, and chef Ben Peverelli, after winning Best New Restaurant in the Observer Food Awards 2005.)
Consultant at Bain & Company, working for private equity firms, global multinationals and smaller UK companies on strategy, performance improvement and organisational design.
Journalist at the Daily Telegraph
Commis Chef at Michelin-starred Four Seasons Inn on the Park under head chef Bruno Loubet
Studied Physics and Philosophy at Oxford University.
Speaking
Henry is a regular speaker at conferences and to company boards.
Topics he covers include:
- Creating a Purpose-Led Business (drawing on Leon’s war stories and expansion from one site in Carnaby Street to a £100 million business)
- Creating A Better Food System (drawing on The National Food Strategy)
Contact: Louise at lfennimore@noelgay.com
Contact
Get in touch at the address below or using this online form provided.
