An entrepreneurial University College Birmingham graduate who built his own multi-million-pound business has high hopes for 2026 after being named in the King’s New Year Honours list.

James Whiting was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the food industry in recognition of his achievements as co-founder and CEO of The Skinny Food Co.

It’s the latest in a stream of accolades for James, who completed a college course at University College Birmingham in 2008 before gaining an International Tourism Business Management BA (Hons) degree at the University.

Picking up many key entrepreneurial skills during his studies, James went on to co-found The Skinny Food Co in 2018, starting out with a range of zero-calorie sauces and syrups for people with diabetes.

It was the beginning of a remarkable business journey which has seen James’ brand become one of the fastest-growing firms in the UK, boasting a range of more than 500 products which have been sold by major supermarkets and online retailers including Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl, B&M and Amazon.

In less than five years, The Skinny Food Co went on to make the top 20 in the Sunday Times 100 rankings, as well as appearing twice in the annual FEBE Growth 100 list of the fastest-growing privately-owned businesses in the country.

That success has earned James plenty of industry recognition, including being named in Forbes Magazine’s 30 under 30 list in 2021, before receiving his MBE in the New Year Honour’s list earlier this month.

“I’m incredibly honoured and grateful,” said James.

“This recognition means a great deal to me, especially as it comes at the end of a year that has been personally challenging at times. To finish the year on such a high note is both humbling and uplifting.

“I’m deeply thankful to everyone who has supported, encouraged and believed in me along the way, from our incredible team to our customers and partners. This honour is very much a shared one.”