Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, widely known as “The Black Farmer”, is one of Britain’s most distinctive voices on inspirational leadership. Born in Jamaica and raised in inner-city Birmingham as part of the Windrush generation, Wilfred grew up in a crowded household where ambition had to compete with circumstance. Working on his father’s allotment sparked a childhood dream to own a farm. Decades later, that vision became reality, shaping a leader who proves that background does not define destiny. His story resonates with organisations seeking authentic leadership grounded in courage, belief and decisive action.

Before launching his farming venture, Wilfred built a diverse career that sharpened his commercial instincts. He served in the army, worked as a chef, and went on to forge a successful path in television, producing and directing food programmes for the BBC. He later founded Communications Plus, a food and drink marketing agency that delivered award-winning campaigns for major household brands. These experiences culminated in 2007 when Wilfred founded The Black Farmer, purchasing Higher West Kitcham Farm on the Devon and Cornwall border. Starting with premium sausages, he developed an award-winning, gluten-free range that achieved national supermarket listings and category-leading status.

Wilfred’s leadership extends beyond commercial success. In 2020, he was awarded an MBE for Services to British Farming, recognising both his entrepreneurial achievements and his commitment to widening access within the rural economy. He established the Black Farmer Scholarship, supporting people from ethnic minority backgrounds into agricultural careers, later documented in the Channel 4 series ‘Young Black Farmers’. He is also the author of ‘Jeopardy: The Danger of Playing It Safe on the Path to Success’, a book challenging readers to confront fear and embrace calculated risk. In 2025, Wilfred secured funding to expand The Black Farmer farm shops across the UK, further strengthening his mission to connect urban communities with British farming.

As a keynote speaker, Wilfred delivers candid, practical insight drawn from lived experience. He speaks on building resilient brands, overcoming adversity, leading with difference and turning setbacks into momentum. Audiences value his honesty and clarity, particularly when he explains how repositioning a simple food product into a premium, purpose-led brand transformed market perception. Wilfred leaves leaders with a direct challenge, take responsibility for your ambitions, embrace risk and lead with conviction.