Get some insight from the very best in the homeware, fashion and lifestyle industries in our series, An Interview With. From Founders and Creatives to Buying Directors and Marketing Experts, we’ll be speaking to business insiders about their lifestyles, likes, dislikes, careers – and how they got to their resounding success.
This month, we speak to Richard Joseph, Co-Founder and CEO of the iconic British homeware brand, Joseph Joseph. First established by twin brothers Antony and Richard in 2003, their empire began with a contemporary glass chopping board, but has since evolved to a collection of over 1,000 products, distributed in over 100 countries.
With wares famed for innovation, contemporary styling and bold use of colour, Joseph Joseph continues to lead the way with their iconic offerings. Almost 20 years down the line, we get a behind-the-scenes insight into one of the brains behind the project, Richard Joseph, as we learn more about his day-to-day role, his motivations, and how he manages to kick back and relax.
Can you share an idea of what your role entails?
As CEO, I’m involved in all aspects of the company. I work closely with our senior team on delivering our future strategy and vision for the business.
Talk us through your morning routine, do you have a set structure to start your day?
I m an early starter, so get up at around 5.45am, arriving at my desk in our central London office at 7.30am. At that time, I can deal with emails that have come in overnight from our global teams (including the US, China, Japan and Australia) and organise my day before the other team members arrive.
Shop Joseph Joseph Large Silver Folio 4 Piece Chopping Board Set
What has been the biggest ‘pinch me’ moment at Joseph Joseph over the years?
Receiving two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise was definitely a highlight for both myself and my team!
What’s the best part about your role as it stands today?
Working across all areas of the business and alongside a great team. We’re an ambitious bunch and are always working on starting something new. The downside is that we’re always busy, and there never seems to be enough hours in the day.
How has the journey been, founding a household name like Joseph Joseph alongside your twin brother?
Both Antony and I are product engineers, so product development is at the heart of everything we do. We realised the importance of creating different roles for ourselves early on which played to our strengths. This has helped us get through the ups and downs of running and growing a business like Joseph Joseph over the years.
Shop Joseph Joseph 5 Piece Podium 100 Glass Storage Jar Set
What have been the most exciting milestones you’ve celebrated over the years?
There have been so many! We celebrated the business reaching its 10th birthday with a huge party for colleagues, customers and family which was a great opportunity to mark the occasion.
Now that travel is back on the horizon, will you, or won’t you?
Team Joseph Joseph will be travelling. We believe face to face meetings are so important in building relationships, driving creativity and igniting innovation throughout the business. As a global company, we also have teams in several overseas markets that we haven’t seen for over a year so we’re looking forward to finally being able to meet up again.
What’s your number one Joseph Joseph product that you believe every home should have?
Shop Joseph Joseph Pack of 2 Chop2Pot Chopping Boards
Our original folding chopping board, Chop2Pot. It sums up our design philosophy and approach to innovation beautifully. We’ve updated and re-designed it over the years, but it started out as a very simple plastic chopping board with a handle that folds into a shoot to help guide any chopped food into your cooking pot. It is incredibly useful, food safe, dishwasher safe and a tough little chopping board (it is tested up to 10,000 folds).
We know you have an impressive product design and entrepreneurial background, but what other careers would you have considered?
I worked as a design engineer for a few years before we established Joseph Joseph, but the goal was always to create our own products and sell them.
Many of your products come from recycled materials, how do you continue to consider sustainability in this conscious world?
We follow the principles of a ‘circular economy’ and pay particular attention to extending the life of products, so they have a very long and useable life. We also look at ways for the business to reduce its waste and pollution and use renewable materials wherever food safety standards allow.
Joseph Joseph 6 Piece LockBlock Knife Block Set
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Focus on doing one thing well – making sure it’s better than your competitors. Apple are a great example of this, growing a $2 trillion global consumer brand across just four product categories.
Your products have such a distinctive and progressive identity focused on driving innovation through design and function, how do you always stay so ahead of the curve and what’s your inspiration?
We invest extensively in research and development, which can sometimes be four or five years ahead of a product launching. Having Design Engineers at the head of the business helps to keep the focus on new products. It’s a risky strategy and means we fail numerous times as we try to bring new ideas to market, however it’s the only way to find new and exciting products.
Joseph Joseph Grey Dot Active Bottle
How do you unwind?
With three very young kids I’m a few years off being able to unwind! However, I do like to try and exercise when I can.
Banished to a desert island, what are the three things you’d take with you?
A sketch pad, solar panelled iPhone charger, iPhone (if I’m allowed)!
Words: Maria Loizou
