John Stapleton

John Stapleton is an entrepreneur who transforms innovative ideas into category-leading consumer brands. With over 30 years of experience, he specialises in building and scaling businesses that challenge the status quo while navigating the complex journey from startup to successful exit. As co-founder of New Covent Garden Soup Company and Little Dish, John pioneered the fresh soup and chilled toddler food categories, respectively, successfully exiting both ventures to larger firms. He currently serves as Chairman of Fischer Farms, a founding partner of Redesdale Food Fund, and an advisor to Mission Ventures, a progressive accelerator supporting UK challenger brands. He is also resident business advisor to Bord Bia’s entrepreneurial start-up programme in Ireland and actively mentors early-stage founders as part of his investor/non-executive director portfolio. John helps growth-stage businesses overcome critical challenges by applying his practical knowledge of derisking ventures, building resilient operations, and making strategic decisions amid uncertainty. His approach combines financial acumen with authentic leadership principles, enabling founders to scale faster while avoiding costly mistakes that typically derail promising startups. Audiences gain actionable insights on turning uncertainty into competitive advantage, implementing effective growth strategies without excessive capital, and developing leadership skills that foster innovation. John’s presentations blend practical business wisdom with personal stories from his entrepreneurial journey, including valuable lessons from both successes and failures, and centre on themes such as resilience, managing risk, embracing adversity, and leading with authenticity. Book John Stapleton for a keynote that delivers honest, memorable insights that resonate with entrepreneurs and corporate innovators seeking transformative business growth in today’s unpredictable environment.