Branson funds food firm’s marketing campaign

By Laurence Gibbons

- Last updated on GMT

Branson has granted Approved Food £100,000
Branson has granted Approved Food £100,000

Related tags Richard branson

Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson has awarded surplus food distributor Approved Food £100,000 to spend on a new marketing campaign.

The online grocer’s founder Dan Cluderay impressed the entrepreneur when he pitched his business to Branson in the final of his #VOOM Pitch to Rich Virgin Media Business competition.

Cluderay, who had just two minutes to pitch to Branson and his team of judges, said he was “overwhelmed”​ by the support his business received on the journey to the final.

“The support we received in the voting rounds was overwhelming and to be actually there in front of the panel was a bit terrifying to be fair,”​ he said.

‘Proper northern value for money’

“We are really looking forward to meeting up soon with the Virgin team and getting the marketing campaign started. We have already told them we will not be putting up with any fancy London pricing, we will be insisting on proper northern value for money, on every pound spent!”

Approved Food was runner-up in the competition to JustPark, an on-line parking app.

Cludery’s business partner, Andy Needham, said perhaps the “multi-millionaire panel”​ was not as concerned about saving £50 on its weekly shop as being able to park in the centre of London.

“It’s not a problem we really have up here in the north but saving money and stopping food waste is definitely an issue that really affects everyone in the country,”​ he added.

Joining Branson on the judging panel will be Virgin Media Business md Peter Kelly and Shutterstock ceo Jon Oringer, Jo Malone, Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts and model David Gandy. 

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