Oliver Cookson
Entrepreneur, Business Leader & Philanthropist
Oliver Cookson is an award-winning, self-made entrepreneur and philanthropist and founder of the sports nutrition brand Myprotein.
Since selling his business in 2011, Cookson remains a stalwart member of the business community and is committed to sharing the benefit of his experience with young entrepreneurs. Cookson is a passionate philanthropist and founder of the Oliver Cookson foundation and Cookson First Aid that is dedicated to providing free, life saving training to first responders.
Growing up in Manchester, Cookson left school aged 16 with just one GCSE. Two decades later he has been named the UK’s number one self-made millionaire under 40.
In 2004, Cookson used a £500 overdraft to bootstrap a sports nutrition idea, which would in turn create the trailblazing, pioneering, and leading brand in sports nutrition, Myprotein.
Myprotein went on to become the number one sports nutrition brand in Europe, in just seven years, whilst maintaining 100% equity, in combined cash and shares deal with ‘The Hut Group’ which earned him a nine-digit exit.
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Removing barriers and enabling opportunities.
Oliver Cookson believes in giving back and shares his knowledge and experience to inspire others. Through his books, digital platforms and appearances Cookson attracts and motivates young, up and coming entrepreneurs, established business leaders and those looking to learn from his personal success story.
Philanthropy is close to Cookson’s heart and the Oliver Cookson Foundation was established in 2022 with a mission to make a positive difference to the lives of people in the UK by removing barriers to opportunity and teaching new skills. Cookson First Aid is the foundation’s flagship programme and is dedicated to delivering free and accessible first aid training and life saving skills to communities across Greater Manchester.
The Book
Bootstrap your life
How did a working-class 23-year-old, who left school with almost no qualifications, launch a business with just a £500 overdraft and turn it into more than £350 million? In this inspiring book, Oliver Cookson shares how he was able to build Europe’s number one online brand using nothing more than his own limited resources and the right mindset, all before he turned 30.
Verve
In 2023, Cookson established Verve , a nutrition brand renowned for its all-encompassing multi-nutrient powder designed to fulfil an individual’s daily nutritional requirements in a single-serving. Verve V80 provides 210 health and wellness benefits through a science-backed formula carefully formulated alongside top nutritionists.
As a business leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Oliver acknowledges the common struggle of prioritising health amidst the demands of work, social engagements, and family responsibilities.
Drawing from his personal experience and understanding of the benefits of various nutrients, Oliver crafted his own custom blend of vitamins and minerals to address his specific health goals. Satisfied with the results, he realized that others faced similar challenges of managing a multitude of supplements and lacked the time or expertise to create their own comprehensive formulas.
Thus, the idea for Verve was born. Understanding that busy individuals often struggle to incorporate ample fruits and vegetables into their diets or prepare complex blends daily, Oliver envisioned Verve as a practical, cost-effective, and delicious solution. By offering a convenient all-in-one supplement, Verve aims to simplify the journey towards better health for individuals who prioritize efficiency without compromising on quality
The podcast
Bootstrap your life
Cookson flips the traditional long-form podcast in this series of around fifteen-minute episodes, covering the tools and habits you need to build a successful business.
Touching on entrepreneurship, self-esteem, business acumen, mindset, and investment, this podcast is a must for anyone wanting to lead from the front.
The journey so far
2005
Myprotein begins trading in Europe.
2007
Myprotein achieves £1m EBITDA, still fully bootstrapped.
2008
Myprotein included in the ‘Sunday Times Fast Track 100’.
2009
Myprotein launches dedicated local websites for France, Germany Italy, Spain and Ireland.
2010
Oliver is named ‘EY Entrepreneur of the Year’
2011
Myprotein becomes Europe’s No.1 online sports nutrition brand
2011
Oliver sells Myprotein for £58 million in a combined cash and shares deal, exiting with 100% equity. He remains a major shareholder in The Hut Group (THG)
2011
Joins THG as CEO of the LifeStyle Division and as Non Executive Director
2020
The Hut Group (THG) IPO’s for £6bn. Oliver sells 85% of his stake in THG for £286m at IPO making him the second-largest IPO benefactor after KKR
2021
Oliver becomes a patron for Make-a-Wish
2021
Oliver launches his book ‘Bootstrap Your Life: How to turn £500 into £350 million’
2022
Oliver announces the forthcoming launch of “The Oliver Cookson Foundation”
2023
Oliver announces the launch of Verve, a comprehensive nutrition brand designed to simplify your daily nutrition.