Andy Redfern

Andy Redfern is co-founder of Ethicalsuperstore.com, the UK's leading online shop for fair trade, organic and eco-friendly products.

A creative maverick with a passionate belief in the ability of good business to alleviate poverty, assist cultural development and promote environmental sustainability, Andy previously worked as Editor and Editor in Chief at leading business magazines. This was followed by an eight year stint at Traidcraft, an organisation set up to fight worldwide poverty and to campaign in the UK and internationally to bring about trade justice. As a Director, Andy oversaw all Operations and International Development.

With a mission to create an ‘ethical Amazon', Andy set up EthicalSuperstore.com Ltd three years ago with his friend and business colleague, Vic Morgan. A socially responsible business, the firm operates in the growing £29 billion market for ethical and fair trade products and services driven by increasing consumer demand. 

The majority of the turnover (80%) is generated from www.ethicalsuperstore.com, the leading UK online shop for fair trade, organic and eco-friendly products.  With 20% of the turnover coming from e-commerce and fulfillment services to leading fair trade companies, charities and values-based organisations as well as selling wholesale to independent shops, catalogue companies and major multiples such as:, John Lewis, Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Waterstones.

Consumer appetite for ethical gifts has trebled in the last three years alone as people actively seek to become more educated about their purchases and more aware of production techniques and sources. EthicalSuperstore.Com Ltd now stocks the widest range of ethical products in the UK and the site has over 3,000 products with projected sales of three times the £2 million it achieved last year.

With a business plan to turnover £40 million within four years and plans to potentially float as early as 2009, Andy is a passionate advocate of ethical trading and responsible business as well as an astute, ambitious and experienced entrepreneur.

Starter for Five

What's been your business high? It was securing over £1 million of growth finance and moving lock, stock and barrel into a new, 25,000 sq ft building.

What's been your business low? No significant low, just those rare occasions when we don't delight a customer with our service.

What is your best business advice one-liner? If you can hire someone who can do a task 70% as well as you can, do it and focus on the next opportunity.

Who is your business idol? Anita Roddick.

What is your favourite pastime? Doing fun stuff with my five kids.