Robert Langmead is an accomplished business owner and keen conservationist. Innovative and forward-thinking in all aspects of business life, he is driven by a high set of personal ethics and values. Outside of business, Robert is a keen sportsman and avid cyclist.
Robert’s timeline
Early life
Early life
Robert was born in Selsey and educated at Hurstpierpoint College. He graduated from the University of Wales with a business degree then explored South Africa in a Land Rover, before returning to start his marketing career at Unilever. Robert began his life-long love of the great outdoors and all forms of cycling, competing annually in the Cape Argus Race in South Africa.
Early life
1990s
1990s
Robert, alongside his brother David Langmead, established Natures Way Foods in 1994 to meet the expanding demand for prepared bagged salad. As CEO, Chairman and now Founder, Robert played a pivotal role in driving the company to its remarkable success. By 1999, Natures Way Foods became the UK’s fastest-growing food company, achieving top position in the Sunday Times Virgin Fastrack 100 rankings.
1990s
2004
2004
Natures Way Foods invests in Sun Salads Ltd watercress farms providing fresh watercress for UK retail and wholesale markets.
Robert established Kingsbridge in 2004, a family-owned property development company with a focus on acquiring commercial property in key sustainable locations. Kingsbridge’s aim is to be the leading developer in the South and prioritises the wellbeing of its occupants in all its endeavours.
2004
2006-2015
2006-2015
Robert moves to America and successfully starts up three new businesses during his time there:
- Wild Rocket Foods, a fresh food supplier to fresh&easy. After four years and growing it to 400 employees, Robert sells Wild Rocket Foods to Tesco.
- Fusion Floral and its sister company, Ameri-Cal, supplying bouquets of flowers to the West Coast supermarkets such as Safeway, Trader Joes and Kroger.
- Better Bakery, a start-up bakery business based in Los Angeles, producing innovative frozen sandwich melts to Walmart and Sam’s Club.
Robert sells Fusion Floral and Better Bakery in 2015, allowing him to focus exclusively on growing his UK-based businesses.
2006-2015
Today
Today
Robert continues in his role as Founder and Shareholder of Natures Way Foods. The company now employs over 1,500 staff with an annual revenue of £250m. In 2022, the company became the number one UK supplier in bagged salads, potato salad and coleslaw to major retail and food service companies.
Kingsbridge is now recognised as the leading developer of industrial, warehouse, office, and mixed-use schemes across the South. Its professional team of 13 now manage a property portfolio of 15 exceptional projects and the business is targeted to double its assets by 2030.
Read more about Robert's current businesses
Today
Future projects
The future
Following his family’s farming legacy, Robert is now spearheading a new phase of farming at Halnaker Hill Farm, near Chichester. The vision is to create a sustainable, trans-generational farming establishment to prioritise soil health, nature conservation and enhance biodiversity.
The family believe that they are the custodians of the land not just for their children but for the entire community. Long-term sustainable business growth and a strong sense of giving back to the community remain key to Robert’s ambitions for his children and future grandchildren.
Future projects
