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.
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. In 2017, Raphael founded Calyx Drinks Ltd focusing on creating health-oriented beverage options. He created the first commercial product made with 100% natural ingredients through partnership with Chester University were the name ‘calyx’ was derived from. 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. 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 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.
== References ==