Robert Jakobi: Metcalfe’s Food Company

Robert Jakobi, 29
Company: Metcalfe’s Food Company
Website: www.metcalfesfood.com

Metcalfe’s Food Company was founded by Julian Metcalfe (Co-Founder of Pret A Manger and itsu) in 2009. When Robert Jakobi took over the Company in 2010 the business was little more than a sideline selling popcorn through just two retail outlets (Pret and itsu) and with annual sales of just over £300,000. Since then the young entrepreneur has overseen a diversification of the product range and led the company to truly phenomenal growth. Now encompassing two healthy snack brands – Asian-inspired itsu grocery and corn-inspired Metcalfe’s skinny – the business has grown by over 40 times in the last 18 months alone to over £9m in turnover (as of May 2014). This has led to numerous awards including a listing in the prestigious Sunday Times Fast Track 100 in December 2013.

Both brands can now be found in all major retailers across the UK including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and Whole Foods Market but Jakobi is not resting on his laurels. The entrepreneur plans to double turnover to £18m by May 2015 as the Metcalfe’s skinny brand launches in Europe and itsu grocery launches in New York.