Surrey allergen-free food business Creative Nature wins £25,000 at KPMG’s Black Entrepreneurs’ Awards

West Molesey-based Creative Nature has been named Most Promising Large Business at KPMG UK’s annual Black Entrepreneurs’ Awards (BEA), receiving a £25,000 cash prize to invest in the company.

(left to right) Dr. Alisha Fuller-Armah, Draconite; Eniye Okah, BEAME; Julianne Ponan, Creative Nature; Darren Miller, Black British Initiative | KPMG UK

placeholder image — (left to right) Dr. Alisha Fuller-Armah, Draconite; Eniye Okah, BEAME; Julianne Ponan, Creative Nature; Darren Miller, Black British Initiative | KPMG UK

Now in its seventh year, the initiative supports emerging Black Heritage entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform to showcase their ventures to a wider audience and enabling opportunities for growth.

Four businesses were selected as winners from 12 finalists and more than 140 entrants, each receiving £25,000. Alongside Surrey’s Creative Nature were London-based sun-care brand BEAME and Black British Initiative, which supports underserved Black founders, and Scotland-based materials technology firm DRACONITE.

All finalists will receive exclusive access to a 12-month acceleration programme created to provide guidance, expertise and connections to support their business.

Based in West Molesey, Creative Nature produces award-winning baking mixes, snacks and sweet treats free from all 14 major allergens, with no cross-contamination risk. Founder Julianne Ponan MBE, who has lived with severe allergies since childhood, took over the business aged 22 and transformed it into an allergy-friendly food brand whose products are sold internationally.

Julianne Ponan MBE, Founder and CEO at Creative Nature, said: “Winning the KPMG Black Entrepreneurs’ Award for Most Promising Large Business was a huge shock and an incredibly proud moment. We put so much work into the pitch, making this recognition even more special. The award will help us grow, increase production and raise allergy awareness, so no child has to sit alone at the allergy table like I did."

Richard Aston, Lead Partner of Surrey, Sussex and Kent at KPMG UK, said: “Congratulations to Julianne and everyone at Creative Nature on a thoroughly deserved win. Creative Nature has built a brand that people with allergies can really trust and it’s fantastic to see a Surrey business leading the way.

“Surrey is home to some brilliant entrepreneurial talent and Creative Nature is a great example of what can be achieved with a clear purpose and a drive to make a difference. I look forward to seeing what Julianne and the team achieve next.”

Since launching in 2018, KPMG UK’s Black Entrepreneurs’ Awards have so far supported 48 Black Heritage founders, providing around £600,000 worth of investment.

The programme has become a springboard for Black-owned businesses. Some of the previous finalists have gone on to raise over £3 million in funding, expand internationally, feature on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and received MBEs in recognition of their impact on making venture capital more inclusive.