Why Riverford Organics became employee owned
In this no-nonsense, straight-talking, searingly honest conversation, Guy Singh-Watson talks to Greg Suart about his journey from a novice consultant in New York to founding Riverford Organic Farmers fulfilling his passion for organic farming and growing vegetables on his Devon farm.
Guy is outspoken on many topics and argues strongly for the importance of ethical leadership and employee ownership. He discusses openly the challenges of navigating the current meta-crisis, the need for a cultural transformation in business, and the role of honesty and integrity in leadership. Guy advocates for a long-term view in business practices and highlights the significance of understanding one’s personal and emotional motivations as a leader.
Guy Singh-Watson founded Riverford Organic Farmers, a national veg box scheme in 1986 and transitioned it into an employee-owned trust in 2018, a move reflecting his belief in ethical business practices and a kinder, more sustainable world – all of which he did at a significant discount saying that a higher sale price would not have made him any happier!In this conversation on Meta-Conscious Leaders, Greg Suart talks with Professor Anthea Roberts – a remarkable thinker who bridges law, governance, strategy, and the future of AI with clarity and creativity.
LINKS TO Guy Singh-Watson and Riverford Organic Farmers
https://www.riverford.co.uk/
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/24/how-riverfords-guy-singh-watson-became-the-most-brutally-honest-farmer-in-britain?utm_source=chatgpt.com
SPONSORED BY:
This podcast by Meta-Conscious Leaders is sponsored by: Ultimate Goal Ltd: Partners in Personal, Leadership & Business Growth, Developing Personal Mastery, Emotional Intelligence and Transcendent Leadership https://www.ultimategoal.co.uk
TAKEAWAYS
Guy returned to the UK to pursue a meaningful life in organic farming.
Riverford started with a simple vision of delivering organic produce directly to consumers.
Leadership requires self-awareness and understanding one’s impact on others.
Employee ownership can redefine business success and culture.
Cultural transformation is essential for employee-owned businesses to thrive.
The current meta crisis demands urgent attention to capitalism and its effects on society.
Ethical leadership is crucial in addressing environmental and social challenges.
Long-term thinking in business can align profit with purpose.
Honesty and transparency are vital for maintaining trust within organizations.
Radical change is necessary for businesses to adapt to modern challenges.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Setting the Scene: Introduction and Background
01:12 Understanding the Meta Crisis
36:45 Climate Change and Its Immediate Effects
38:27 The Crisis of Capitalism
41:07 The Role of AI in Society
42:44 Ethical Leadership in Business
45:50 The Need for Regulation and Accountability
48:28 Redesigning Business for Society
53:37 The Importance of Honesty in Leadership
01:00:57 Self-Knowledge as a Leadership Responsibility
01:02:29 Introduction and Overview
01:02:30 Engagement and Community Building