In the next episode of Oh For Food’s Sake, we sit down with Andrew Thornton—entrepreneur, speaker, change agent, and author of "Putting the Heart Back into Business." We dive deep into what it really means to run a values-led, purpose-driven business in an industry that’s all too often obsessed with profit over people. From innovative retail at Budgens to pioneering plastic-free zones before it was cool, Andrew shares the story of his career, his evolving ethos, and the pivotal moments that shifted him from chasing profits to championing purpose. Together, we debunk the myth that the bottom line has to come at the expense of people or the planet and get real about the practicalities of change in food. Andrew’s experience proves that when you focus on all stakeholders—your employees, customers, community, suppliers, and the environment—profit takes care of itself. Plus, Andrew shares some of the creative and practical tools he’s used (from gratitude rounds to the power of checking in before meetings) to make work more human and effective. Whether you’re a challenger brand, a corporate warrior, or somewhere in between, this episode will leave you inspired to think differently and build a food business that’s good for more than just the shareholders.
This week, we peel back the layers on what running a genuinely heartful business looks like in food and retail.
We welcome Andrew Thornton, legendary for shaking up the industry and for always bringing his signature purposeful approach to everything from the shop floor to the boardroom. Andrew tells the story of his journey from his first job in a Dublin newsagent—serving the iconic Fergal Quinn—to launching a consulting company and eventually taking on supermarket ownership in the heart of North London.
We talk about Andrew’s midlife crisis (where instead of buying a Porsche, he bought two supermarkets!), the challenges and triumphs of making Thornton's Budgens a haven for people, planet, and innovation, and the world-first plastic free zones that changed the industry’s approach to plastics. Andrew unpacks how shifting focus away from short-term profits actually made good business sense, and why psychological safety and authenticity matter—as much in retail as in life.
You’ll also hear why describing what people are doing well can make all the difference, what gratitude really looks like at work, and how slowing down at the start of a meeting can transform how people show up. Andrew even shares the story of the “giant tomato display”—a beautiful example of what happens when people are empowered to bring their full creative selves to work.
We wrap up with a bold look at the big challenges facing the industry (hello, UPFs and microplastics), and why real innovation—driven by diverse voices and new tech—is our way forward. Oh, and we don’t shy away from the fun either, because if work isn’t enjoyable, what’s the point?
Timestamps
00:00 From Dublin News Agent to Foodie
05:22 Musgrave's Long-Term, Stakeholder-Focused Strategy
09:21 Testing Reusable Packaging Initiative
10:46 Team's Dedication Over Personal Glory
15:59 Inflow Matrix Exercise for Success
18:37 Purpose Over Profit
23:36 Reducing Costs with Natural Sweetener
25:52 Tech and AI Revolutionizing Food Industry
29:14 Unconventional Meeting Approaches
33:10 Encouraging Innovation Through Open Dialogue
35:30 Gratitude vs Negativity Hardwiring
37:59 Start Meetings with Positives
41:40 "Essential Human Needs Reminder
43:58 "Share and Review Episode"
Links and Resources:
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Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories https://micro-search.co.uk/ and Point 74 https://www.point74.co.uk/
See you next time!