Riverford was founded by organic farmer Guy Singh-Watson in 1987. As one man with a wheelbarrow, he started delivering vegetables to 30 local homes in one of the UK's first veg-box schemes.
Nowadays, Riverford grows, packs, and delivers around 75,000 organic veg boxes each week to families nationwide who share its values of fairness and sustainability.
In June 2018, Devon-based Riverford became employee-owned. Guy sold the business to its staff for around a quarter of its market value, having recognised that its people are the ones who are the best custodians of its values.
It is also the most competent to achieve the commercial success necessary to promote its ethos, so it stands to reason that it should reap the rewards.
Every employee now owns an equal share of Riverford and 10% to 20% of the company's annual profits go equally to each of them. The new governance structure includes a democratically elected staff council, representing all levels.
The business, a newly listed Best Company to Work For, aims to be an outstanding place to work and this includes equal pay.
After becoming employee-owned, Riverford launched a transformative programme of cultural and management changes.
From a wide range of learning and development opportunities to proactive wellbeing support – such as appointing mental health first aiders, free counselling, and wellness podcasts.
In 2020, Riverford became a certified B Corp, an accreditation that recognises the highest social and environmental business standards.
