Alan Barrett

Al Barratt is a powerhouse entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of Grenade, renowned for his bold vision and relentless drive in building world-class consumer brands. Starting with just £500 in a spare bedroom, he scaled Grenade into the UK's number one selling weight management product and chocolate bar, culminating in a $250 million acquisition by Mondelez in 2021. A three-time Entrepreneur of the Year winner, Al empowers audiences with practical strategies for scaling businesses, navigating setbacks, and turning ambitious ideas into market-leading realities that deliver lasting commercial impact.

When Al Barratt launched Grenade from a spare bedroom in 2010 with just £500 to his name, few could have predicted that within a decade, the brand would command a valuation exceeding $250 million and secure acquisition by global giant Mondelez. His journey from leaving school to work a minimum-wage job at a Birmingham gym to building one of the UK's most recognisable consumer brands reflects a rare combination of instinct, resilience, and commercial vision. Grenade's flagship weight management product became the best-selling in its category across the UK, followed by the Grenade bar, which rose to become the nation's number one selling chocolate bar by 2015. What began as a bold gamble evolved into a case study in how to scale a brand with limited resources, maximum creativity, and an unshakeable belief in the product.

Al's credibility extends far beyond a single success story. Before founding Grenade, he established his own sports nutrition distribution business in 1999, importing products from the United States and learning the intricacies of the industry from the ground up. His hands-on experience in product development, brand positioning, and market disruption has earned him recognition as a three-time Entrepreneur of the Year, an accolade that underscores his sustained impact and ability to innovate under pressure. Even after the Mondelez acquisition in 2021, Al remains at the helm as CEO, continuing to shape Grenade's trajectory and expand its global footprint. He also serves as a mentor for Virgin Start Up, where he supports aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the early stages of business growth, and dedicates time to philanthropic work alongside pursuing his passion as a private pilot.

Al's value to audiences lies in his ability to demystify the entrepreneurial process and provide actionable insights drawn from real-world experience. He speaks candidly about the setbacks, financial constraints, and strategic pivots that defined Grenade's rise, equipping leaders and founders with practical frameworks for scaling businesses in competitive markets. Whether addressing corporate teams seeking innovation strategies or start-ups hungry for growth tactics, Al delivers clarity on brand building, product differentiation, and the mindset required to turn ambitious ideas into commercial realities. His presentations leave audiences not only inspired but armed with tangible tools to apply immediately, fostering lasting impact that extends well beyond the event itself.