Brand guru and Suffolk-based organic farmer William Kendall, who built up New Covent Garden Soup Company before selling it to a public company and then grew Green & Black’s into an international brand before selling it to Cadbury’s, will share his experience at the Institute of Directors (IoD) Suffolk’s next event on Wednesday, September 19, at Hintlesham Hall.

The breakfast event ‘Investing in innovation and brands’ from 7.30am to 9.30am is sponsored by Quantrills, Barker Gotelee, the Ideas centre and Ensors and will kick off what promises to be a fabulous run of autumn events organised by IoD Suffolk.

William Kendall is an adviser to or a director of a range of public and private organisations, including Adnams, Notcutts and listed investment trust Keystone. He lives in Kelsale, near Saxmundham, farms organically and conventionally and is a campaigner for better food and rural issues.

Over nine years he built up The New Covent Garden Soup Company before selling it to a public company. He and several colleagues then bought the embryonic Green & Black’s from its founder and grew it to an international brand which was sold to Cadburys in 2005.

He and two partners formed Nemadi Advisors in 2000 to advise and finance early stage businesses. In so doing, William has become an expert in such diverse sectors as London restaurants, flower retailing, natural insulation and building hotel chains.

To book the business breakfast, contact Suffolk IoD Branch Administrator Caroline Kearney. Email caroline@iod-suffolk.co.uk or call 07917 699498. Cost is �27.50 (ex VAT) for IoD members and their guests or �41.25 (ex VAT) non-members.