Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones was born in Jamaica and came to the UK at the age of four and was raised in inner city Birmingham.  He attended a secondary modern school, which he left without gaining any qualifications.

In 1994 he founded a food and drink marketing agency in London which ran campaigns for Loyd Grossman sauces, KETTLE Chips, Plymouth Gin, Cobra Beer and other brands.

In 2000 Wilfred bought a small farm in Devon, and seven years ago launched The Black Farmer food brand whose products are now available in all major multiple retailers.

Last year Wilfred launched the Black Farmer range of rural clothing internet business.

One ofWilfred’s driving forces is to give young people more opportunity. In 2005 he launched a young city farmers scheme through which young people from inner city communities are given the opportunity to experience what it is really like to live and work in the rural community. Young City Farmers is run annually with the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester.

In 2011 The University of Plymouth awarded Wilfred an honorary doctorate in business.  He is President of the Meat Training Council, and a member of the Government’s Entrepreneurs forum. Wilfred tours the country giving inspirational talks to entrepreneurs and people starting up businesses.He also mentors young entrepreneurs.