Raphael Ogunrinde
{{Short description|Nigerian businessman}}
{{Notability|1=Biographies|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Raphael Ogunrinde
| image = Raphael Ogunrinde.jpg
| birth_date =
| birth_place = United Kingdom
| death_date =
| nationality = British Nigerian
| occupation = Entrepreneur
| years_active = 2017 - present
| known_for = Beverage manufacturing
| notable_works =
| style =
| spouse =
| children =
}}
Raphael Ogunrinde is a UK based Nigerian beverage manufacturing entrepreneur who is the Founder and CEO of Calyx Drinks Ltd as well as United Canning and Bottling Company (UCBC). He is also a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and a non-executive with the African Business Chamber, Northern branch.{{cite web | url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18114217.burnley-drinks-firm-calyx-taking-inspiration-mum-nigeria/ | title=The Burnley-based drinks firm taking inspiration from mum in Nigeria | work=Lancashire Telegraph | date=20 December 2019 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMk8ITrzAzc | title=Spotlight Interview with Raphael Ogunrinde from Calyx Drinks - Presented by Mick Corrigan | website=YouTube | date=3 November 2022 }}
Background
Born in Nigeria, Raphael moved to the United Kingdom to pursue higher education and professional opportunities where he attained qualifications in Microbiology, Brewing and Food Quality Management in business and technology.
Raphael began his career as a food and drinks science enthusiast as a Quality Control Manager for Soleco Group (Salads To Go) in 2014 in North West England. Then in 2016 he became Assistant Technical Manager at Glendale Foods before becoming Quality Manager at Bawnbua Foods Ltd.{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY_8WR38_TM | title=HEALTHY DRINKS FROM FLOWERS, FRUITS & SPICES - Natural Lifestyle 2022 - Antioxidants & Energy Source | website=YouTube | date=6 December 2021 }}https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2024-01-08/report-reveals-black-entrepreneurs-in-manchester-are-overlooked-for-investment
In 2017, Raphael founded Calyx Drinks Ltd focusing on creating health-oriented beverage options.{{cite web | url=https://www.sacoma-healthfoods.com/product-page/calyx-calm-apple-camomile-flower | title='Calyx Calm' Apple & Camomile Flower }} He created the first commercial product made with 100% natural ingredients through partnership with Chester University were the name ‘calyx’ was derived from.{{cite web | url=https://www.burnleyexpress.net/business/consumer/burnley-soft-drink-business-set-to-feature-on-channel-four-show-aldis-next-big-thing-3902615 | title=Check out the Burnley 'wholesome' drink business featuring on TV this week | date=2 November 2022 }} The company made its 2019 retail debut into John Lewis Partnership, Waitrose and Ades, the UK’s largest African retail chain, and proceeded to launching also in Booths and TK Maxx stores across the UK in 2020.{{cite web | url=https://www.salsafood.co.uk/news/b0c8a84b-c0b7-4482-b41c-a77f9ccf9671-449 | title=SALSA - Latest News }}
Raphael has featured on Channel 4's Aldi's Next Big Thing, Series 1. He is regularly featured on the BBC Radio 5 Live ‘Wake Up to Money’ show on the Natural Craft Soft Drinks Manufacturing segment. In 2019, Calyx Drinks won the Best Natural Beverage and Food Condiments Manufacturer - UK category{{cite web | url=https://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/uk-news/burnley-soft-drinks-firm-tastes-awards-success-1342227 | title=Burnley soft drinks firm tastes awards success | date=16 December 2019 }} at the LUX Life Food and Drinks Awards. He is one of the first to establish black-owned drinks brand which launched into Waitrose and Booths before the pandemic. Raphael is also the founder of the first majority black-owned drinks contract packing company, United Canning and Bottling Company (UCBC), supplying into retail in the UK and Europe. Over the past 4 years, he has assisted over 20 brands launch more than 40 products into the UK and International markets.{{cite web | url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/18099465.burnley-fruit-drink-company-taste-success-award/ | title=Fruit drink company taste success with award | work=Lancashire Telegraph | date=13 December 2019 }}
References
{{Reflist}}
Category:Nigerian businesspeople
Category:Nigerian emigrants to the United Kingdom
Category:Place of birth missing (living people)
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
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