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James Averdieck
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James Averdieck Biography
Topics:
- Business
- Entrepreneurs
- Food & Wine
- Leadership
- Marketing & Branding
James Averdieck, is the founder and Managing Director of Gü Chocolate Puds, launched in May 2003.
In the beginning...
Born in Yorkshire in 1965, James was educated at Uppingham School before studying Economics at Durham University from 1985 to 1988.
After leaving university, James joined the graduate programme at strategy consultants, Arthur D. Little, where he stayed for two years, working in Europe, US and the Middle East. He enjoyed consulting and learnt about the key drivers to a successful business, but wanted to get closer to the coal-face.
Finding the Gü niche
James spent the next 9 years in Food industry working for both Safeway and St Ivel and learnt about Sales and Marketing and running businesses. With St Ivel he moved to Belgium and became a convert to Belgian gastronomy and, as he says, ‘went native on the chocolate front’. It was in Brussels that the seed was sown for his UK chocolate venture. James saw the opportunity of marrying high quality chocolate patisserie with efficient UK supermarket distribution.
James realised that UK consumers were demanding more quality and moving away from mass-produced ‘branded’ products. By marrying up high quality chocolate patisserie with efficient UK supermarket distribution, James was confident he could take on the big players.
He wanted to create a brand “more focused than the big brands on using high-quality raw materials to deliver uncompromisingly good products.”
Gü, the brand, is about chocolate extremism – evoking nostalgic memories and magical smells of baking with chocolate. The brand was well received by the supermarkets, launching first in Sainsburys and Waitrose with the others following apace.
A resounding success
Five years on Gü is the fastest growing food company in UK and is credited with revolutionising the quality of desserts. It has offices in London and Paris, selling in UK, France, Ireland and Belgium. In the process, James has realised his chocolate dream of selling soufflés to the French and chocolate to the Belgians.
For further information or to book James Averdieck, call us at Speakers Corner on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
James Averdieck News
A selection of relevant news related to James Averdieck and Business stories. For more information on James Averdieck or details as to how to book James Averdieck for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Adrian Chiles on his way to ITV as its all change on the magazine show front
20th April 2010Adrian Chiles is on his way to host GMTV as it is all change on both ITV's GMTV and the BBC's One Show as rumours are flying around regarding who will be hosting alongside Adrian Chiles and be taking over from him on The One Show - it is already known that Chris Evans will be hosting on Friday but beyond that is all speculation
20th April 2010Adrian Chiles is on his way to host GMTV as it is all change on both ITV's GMTV and the BBC's One Show as rumours are flying around regarding who will be hosting alongside Adrian Chiles and be taking over from him on The One Show - it is already known that Chris Evans will be hosting on Friday but beyond that is all speculation
Entrepreneurial chocolatiers Jo Fairley, Craig Sams, James Averdieck & Angus Thirlwell - are all enjoying success with their luxury chocolate brands
26th January 2010Chocolate is big news. Cadbury have been bought by Kraft and entrepreneurs Jo Fairly and Sam Craig sold their luxury chocolate business Green & Blacks to Cadbury some time ago. And this week saw another sale Gu Puds sold to Noble Foods retaining entrepreneur and founder James Averdieck as MD. Angus Thirlwell who runs Hotel Chocolat has created a luxury brand with sales coming from the web, mail order and high street shops
26th January 2010Chocolate is big news. Cadbury have been bought by Kraft and entrepreneurs Jo Fairly and Sam Craig sold their luxury chocolate business Green & Blacks to Cadbury some time ago. And this week saw another sale Gu Puds sold to Noble Foods retaining entrepreneur and founder James Averdieck as MD. Angus Thirlwell who runs Hotel Chocolat has created a luxury brand with sales coming from the web, mail order and high street shops
Gü Brings Sweet Success for James Averdieck
16th December 2008Gü Chocolate Puds, founded by James Averdieck in 2003 has recently become a multi award winner. Not content with scooping the New Exporter of the Year Award, sponsored by UK Trade and Investment, Gü Chocolate Puds also went on to be crowned the overall Food and Drink Exporter of the Year 2008.
16th December 2008Gü Chocolate Puds, founded by James Averdieck in 2003 has recently become a multi award winner. Not content with scooping the New Exporter of the Year Award, sponsored by UK Trade and Investment, Gü Chocolate Puds also went on to be crowned the overall Food and Drink Exporter of the Year 2008.
Entrepreneur Challenge: Going for gold
16th September 2008The action moves to the capital as the Sunday Times Bank of Scotland Corporate Entrepreneur Challenge unveils its second set of five regional finalists.
16th September 2008The action moves to the capital as the Sunday Times Bank of Scotland Corporate Entrepreneur Challenge unveils its second set of five regional finalists.
The Sunday Times Business Person of Year - The Finalists
23rd December 2009The Sunday Times has announced its list of contenders for their annual Business Person of the Year award. The finalists have shown true grit and determination - many have hauled their businesses through a rather perilous time unscathed and are survivors in the business world. The contenders are Angela Ahrendts (pictured left), Ross Brawn, Frank Chapman, Richard Cousins, Founders of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams, Steve Jobs, Sam Laidlaw, Alan Mulally, Kate Swann, and John Varley.
23rd December 2009The Sunday Times has announced its list of contenders for their annual Business Person of the Year award. The finalists have shown true grit and determination - many have hauled their businesses through a rather perilous time unscathed and are survivors in the business world. The contenders are Angela Ahrendts (pictured left), Ross Brawn, Frank Chapman, Richard Cousins, Founders of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams, Steve Jobs, Sam Laidlaw, Alan Mulally, Kate Swann, and John Varley.
BSkyB is Britain's most admired company 2009
2nd December 2009Media firm BSkyB landed the top spot in Management Today's Britain's Most Admired Companies awards on monday night. Led by CEO Jeremy Darroch, the organisation is one of the youngest to be handed the accolade, topping each of the nine criteria to secure the award. Matthew Gwyther, editor of Management Today said: 'It (BSkyB) is barely more than a stripling upstart amongst the great names of UK business, some of which have been around for centuries in one form or another. It has shown that a class-leading product, well marketed and slickly delivered, can continue to grow and prosper even in the most challenging circumstances.' Tesco and Johnson Mathey took the second and third slots respectively, with Cadbury, GlaxoSmithKline and Rolls-Royce trailing at numbers four, five and six.
2nd December 2009Media firm BSkyB landed the top spot in Management Today's Britain's Most Admired Companies awards on monday night. Led by CEO Jeremy Darroch, the organisation is one of the youngest to be handed the accolade, topping each of the nine criteria to secure the award. Matthew Gwyther, editor of Management Today said: 'It (BSkyB) is barely more than a stripling upstart amongst the great names of UK business, some of which have been around for centuries in one form or another. It has shown that a class-leading product, well marketed and slickly delivered, can continue to grow and prosper even in the most challenging circumstances.' Tesco and Johnson Mathey took the second and third slots respectively, with Cadbury, GlaxoSmithKline and Rolls-Royce trailing at numbers four, five and six.
Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected at the CBI Conference today including Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Dominique Strauss-Kahn & Stuart Rose to name but a few
23rd November 2009Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected to address the CBI conference in London today. Talking to the most influential and important of business audiences will be our political leaders Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, business chiefs such as Sir Stuart Rose and Stephen Hester, as well as Lord Adair Turner, BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flaunders and the CBI's Director-General Richard Lambert. Chairing the conference will be CBI's President, the recently appointed Helen Alexander, former chief executive at The Economist and the first woman in the role.
23rd November 2009Heavyweight keynote speakers are expected to address the CBI conference in London today. Talking to the most influential and important of business audiences will be our political leaders Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg, business chiefs such as Sir Stuart Rose and Stephen Hester, as well as Lord Adair Turner, BBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flaunders and the CBI's Director-General Richard Lambert. Chairing the conference will be CBI's President, the recently appointed Helen Alexander, former chief executive at The Economist and the first woman in the role.
Lessons learnt from Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple - one of the greatest speakers ever
19th November 2009The Times is featuring extracts from Simon Maier and Jerremy Kourdi's book 'The 100: Insights and lessons from 100 of the greatest speeches ever delivered'. Read The Times article on lessons learnt from one of the world's best speakers - Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and former chief executive officer of Pixar Animation Studios.
19th November 2009The Times is featuring extracts from Simon Maier and Jerremy Kourdi's book 'The 100: Insights and lessons from 100 of the greatest speeches ever delivered'. Read The Times article on lessons learnt from one of the world's best speakers - Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and former chief executive officer of Pixar Animation Studios.
WHO MOVED MY GURU?
19th December 2008The economy may be tanking, but not Malcolm Gladwell. His new book, “Outliers,” a characteristically snappy look at what made the Beatles, Bill Gates and other superstars so successful, enters the hardcover nonfiction list at No. 1
19th December 2008The economy may be tanking, but not Malcolm Gladwell. His new book, “Outliers,” a characteristically snappy look at what made the Beatles, Bill Gates and other superstars so successful, enters the hardcover nonfiction list at No. 1
Diageo wins 'Britain's Most Admired Company 2008' award
11th December 2008Drinks major Diageo has won the coveted title of Britain's Most Admired Company 2008 in MT's annual poll. At the awards ceremony last night at Claridge's, Diageo’s CEO Paul Walsh accepted the award from Lord Heseltine, chairman of Haymarket Media...
11th December 2008Drinks major Diageo has won the coveted title of Britain's Most Admired Company 2008 in MT's annual poll. At the awards ceremony last night at Claridge's, Diageo’s CEO Paul Walsh accepted the award from Lord Heseltine, chairman of Haymarket Media...
James Averdieck Reviews
James Averdieck has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for James Averdieck for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book James Averdieck for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
"Thoroughly enjoyed James' talk thatday - hugely engaging. A very amiable man altogether!"
Q & A with James Averdieck
Speakers Corner interviewed James Averdieck to give you a bit more insight as to the type of performance and delivery you would expect from James Averdieck However for more information on James Averdieck or details as to how to book James Averdieck for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0) 208 365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Speakers Corner: How did the corporate speaking all start?
James Averdieck: I was asked to speak at some conference and an agency approached me afterwards
Speakers Corner: Which event has been your favourite and why?
James Averdieck: Appearing on “The apprentice, you’re fired!” because lots of friends saw it
Speakers Corner: If you could speak at any event, past or future, what would it be?
James Averdieck: Hosting my own TV show!
Speakers Corner: Who would you most like to share a platform with?
James Averdieck: Nigella Lawson
Speakers Corner: On average, how many times a year do you speak at corporate events?
James Averdieck: About 10
Speakers Corner: Do you use powerpoint?
James Averdieck: Yes
Speakers Corner: How do you like to be introduced?
James Averdieck: The man behind Britains most delicious desserts
Speakers Corner: What are the most asked for topics?
James Averdieck: How to create a famous brand on a shoestring
Speakers Corner: Is your speech at all interactive with audience participation?
James Averdieck: No, but I always take questions at the end
Speakers Corner: Do you have any funny/embarrassing speaking anecdotes you care to share?
James Averdieck: A client turned out to have had a fling with my twin brother!.
Speakers Corner: Your favourite film?
James Averdieck: Recently – Slumdog Millionaire
Speakers Corner: Favourite book?
James Averdieck: Any Human Heart – William Boyd
Speakers Corner: Favourite holiday destination?
James Averdieck: Cape Town
Speakers Corner: What’s your tipple?
James Averdieck: Caipahrinha
Speakers Corner: Country or townie?
James Averdieck: Born in the country – now a townie
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News
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1st September 2010
The BBC One controller, Jay Hunt has confirmed that Graham Norton's chat show will switch to friday nights in October to replace Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.
