FOUNDER OF ALLERGY-FREE BRAND CREATIVE NATURE CELEBRATES WIN AT PRESTIGIOUS BUSINESS INCLUSIVITY AWARDS

Julianne Ponan, CEO of allergy-free brand Creative Nature was named Business Woman of the Year at the MSDUK Conference and Awards which took place recently at Old Billingsgate in London.

The conference and awards were attended by hundreds of entrepreneurs, exhibitors and supplier diversity leaders who gathered to honour the efforts of both large corporations and ethnic minority-owned businesses in making supply chains more inclusive and competitive.

Julianne was one of four finalists in the Business Woman of the Year Award which recognises ‘the most dynamic, creative, and visionary ethnic minority women entrepreneurs’ in the MSDUK network. She was recognised for her dedication to creating foods free of the top 14 allergens. And, as a female-owned company, for placing emphasis on inclusivity and diversity from the very start of the company in 2012, with 78% of staff being female.

“I honestly couldn't believe it when they called my name as I had met some of the other amazing female entrepreneurs in the category who are absolutely incredible,” Julianne said of her win. “I am so proud that my team and I are creating real change and impact in the allergy space.”

Being awarded Business Woman of the Year wasn’t the only highlight of Julianne’s evening. 

“I met Sir Lenny Henry for the first time,” she said. And not one to miss a chance to create another Creative Nature fan, “of course, we got him to try our Creative Nature Gnawbles.”

Gnawbles, the crispy protein nibbles are themselves award winners having claimed two gold trophies at the 2022 Free From Food Awards. 

The MSDUK awards particularly resonate with Julianne who believes more needs to be done to encourage greater diversity in business. 

“There is so much more work to be done as only 2.2% of all venture capital funding is invested into female entrepreneurs and funding for diverse/ethnic minority female founders is even more insufficient.”

Creative Nature was founded by Julianne in 2012. She used her own experience of living with multiple food allergies and anaphylaxis to create a range of allergy-safe, tasty and healthy snacks. The company’s products are free from the top 14 allergens and use superfood ingredients that help to improve their nutrient value and make them lower in sugar than alternatives on the market. 

MSDUK is a membership network that brings together innovative and high-growth ethnic minority businesses with global corporations committed to creating inclusive and diverse supply chains. It launched in 2006 and currently represents 3,000 ethnic minority-owned businesses. The awards allow ethnic minority businesses across the UK to be recognised for innovation, growth and entrepreneurship. 

To find out more about Creative Nature visit: https://www.creativenaturesuperfoods.co.uk/