Latest news with #Robson-Kanu


Wales Online
6 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh football star's £15m payday after becoming businessman
Welsh football star's £15m payday after becoming businessman Hal Robson-Kanu was one of the Wales Euro 2016 side's heroes but has gone on to a whole different type of success after quitting the game Footballer Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu is the founder of Turmeric Co (Image: Turmeric Co) The nutritional drinks firm of former Welsh football star Hal Robson-Kanu, Innate-Essence, has been majority bought by top beverage manufacturer AG Barr in a £15m deal. Innate-Essence is the company behind the Turmeric Co and Raw Hydrate brands. Mr Robson-Kanu revealed his inspiration to start the business came from the role turmeric shots played in his recovery from a potentially career-ending knee injury. Both parties have stated that the initial £15m investment for a 51.1% stake will be used to "turbo-charge" global expansion, further develop the brand's retail proposition, and invest more deeply into marketing. The company's growth so far has been supported by monthly recurring subscriptions, successful nationwide launches in Sainsbury's and Ocado, and placement in David Lloyd Clubs. It has also formed strategic partnerships with Premier League teams such as Everton and Brentford, Premiership Rugby teams Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers, and British Gymnastics. BDO and Pinsent Masons provided advice to Innate-Essence on the investment by the Cumbernauld-based and London Stock Exchange listed drinks giant, reports BusinessLive. Chief executive of Innate-Essence Mr Robson-Kanu said: "I created the brand as a convenient and great-tasting way to support wellness-conscious individuals and sportspeople like me. "We've had a remarkable few years but with this latest milestone and such heavyweight backing, it feels like our journey is just beginning – we've unlocked a new level. "The international potential is huge and we can't wait to see what we achieve next. Article continues below "BDO's understanding of our sector and merger and acquisition expertise has been key to our success and getting this investment over the line." AG Barr's flagship soft drink brands include household names Irn-Bru and Boost. In a trading update to the London Stock Exchange the Scottish firm revealed that first half 2025-26 revenues are anticipated to reach approximately £228m, marking a 3% increase from the £221.3m recorded in the first half of 2024-25.


The Irish Sun
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Ex-Premier League ace gets £15MILLION windfall after selling stake in health drink firm which helped his injury recovery
A FORMER Premier League star has netted £15 million after selling his stake in his health drink company. Ex-Wales and striker Hal Robson-Kanu, 36, had founded The Turmeric Co. brand after saying shots of turmeric helped him battle injury setbacks. 4 Hal Robson-Kanu has sold his stake in his drinks company - netting himself £15 million Credit: Getty Images - Getty 4 The star made 94 Premier League appearances for Reading and West Brom Credit: Getty Images - Getty 4 He also won 46 caps for Wales in his career, famously scoring to help them beat Belgium 3-1 in the quarter finals of Euro 2016 Credit: Getty He hailed the ginger plant as his "secret weapon", saying supplements of it saved his footballing career. Now, his company Innate-Essence has sold its majority stake of 50.01 per cent to Irn-Bru makers AG Barr in a deal worth £15 million. Among his praises for turmeric, Robson-Kanu said it had helped him to recover from a cruciate knee ligament rupture when he was just a teenager. Following his recovery, he founded both The Turmeric Co. brand as well as Raw Hydrate. Read More on Football The popular drinks are sold by Sainsbury's and Ocado as well as in David Lloyd sports clubs across the country. Keeping him in touch with his footballing past, Premier League sides Outside of football, Robson-Kanu's brands have partnerships with top rugby sides Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers as well as British Gymnastics . Robson-Kanu won 46 caps for Most read in Football The ex-Prem player said: 'I created the brand as a convenient and great-tasting way to support wellness-conscious individuals and sportspeople like me. 'We've had a remarkable few years but with this latest milestone and such heavyweight backing, it feels like our journey is just beginning – we've unlocked a new level. I'm a former Premier League star - now I'm flogging my drink in Sainsbury's and thriving in my new career 'The international potential is huge, and we can't wait to see what we achieve next .' AG Barr said the investment was 'consistent with the company's strategy of acquisitions and innovation in highgrowth, health-focused, functional beverage categories'. It added: 'The investment has been funded from the company's net cash position. It is not expected to have a significant impact on revenue or profit in the current financial year.' In 2023, Robson-Kanu The star appeared in an advert pretending to be a Sainsbury's shop floor worker just two years after his career came to an end. HOW ROBSON-KANU DISCOVERED TURMERIC 'GOLD' Earlier in 2023, he also opened up about the After joining Reading's academy at the age of 15, Robson-Kanu suffered two severe injuries before breaking into the first team, both of which required surgery. He was told by club doctors that he would likely never play without pain and restriction in his knee again, prompting him to take prescribed painkillers. However, after these had an adverse effect on his body, the former Wales international turned to natural remedies. He told : "It was at that point where me and my dad basically went on a research binge. We began looking at natural ways to recover from pain, inflammation and swelling. "We went to the library and scoured the internet. We looked at ancient Asian practices in eastern cultures where they would use natural remedies. "What we began to find was these natural ingredients which kept recurring, like watermelon, pomegranate, pineapple, ginger and turmeric in the raw format." The star said it was the raw ingredients that were key to having an impact on recovery and so he set out with his dad to source the ingredients for his magical blend. While the taste didn't land at first, they eventually perfected the blend of "raw, natural ingredients" into a "golden elixir". After adding more nutrients, micronutrients and macronutrients, Robson-Kanu said the "golden blend" was giving him a "real boost of energy ". Regular consumption helped him make progress and eventually the pain and inflammation in his knee subsided, giving him full flexibility once more. 4 Robson-Kanu founded his drinks brand after finding success with turmeric products in helping his injuries Credit: Getty - Contributor


Scottish Sun
31-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Premier League ace gets £15MILLION windfall after selling stake in health drink firm which helped his injury recovery
The forward had four seasons in the Premier League playing for Reading and West Brom GOLDEN GOAL Ex-Premier League ace gets £15MILLION windfall after selling stake in health drink firm which helped his injury recovery Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER Premier League star has netted £15 million after selling his stake in his health drink company. Ex-Wales and West Brom striker Hal Robson-Kanu, 36, had founded The Turmeric Co. brand after saying shots of turmeric helped him battle injury setbacks. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Hal Robson-Kanu has sold his stake in his drinks company - netting himself £15 million Credit: Getty Images - Getty 4 The star made 94 Premier League appearances for Reading and West Brom Credit: Getty Images - Getty 4 He also won 46 caps for Wales in his career, famously scoring to help them beat Belgium 3-1 in the quarter finals of Euro 2016 Credit: Getty He hailed the ginger plant as his "secret weapon", saying supplements of it saved his footballing career. Now, his company Innate-Essence has sold its majority stake of 50.01 per cent to Irn-Bru makers AG Barr in a deal worth £15 million. Among his praises for turmeric, Robson-Kanu said it had helped him to recover from a cruciate knee ligament rupture when he was just a teenager. Following his recovery, he founded both The Turmeric Co. brand as well as Raw Hydrate. The popular drinks are sold by Sainsbury's and Ocado as well as in David Lloyd sports clubs across the country. Keeping him in touch with his footballing past, Premier League sides Everton and Brentford also sell the beverages. Outside of football, Robson-Kanu's brands have partnerships with top rugby sides Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers as well as British Gymnastics. Robson-Kanu won 46 caps for Wales and scored in the historic 3-1 win against Belgium to put them into the semi finals of Euro 2016. The ex-Prem player said: 'I created the brand as a convenient and great-tasting way to support wellness-conscious individuals and sportspeople like me. 'We've had a remarkable few years but with this latest milestone and such heavyweight backing, it feels like our journey is just beginning – we've unlocked a new level. I'm a former Premier League star - now I'm flogging my drink in Sainsbury's and thriving in my new career 'The international potential is huge, and we can't wait to see what we achieve next.' AG Barr said the investment was 'consistent with the company's strategy of acquisitions and innovation in highgrowth, health-focused, functional beverage categories'. It added: 'The investment has been funded from the company's net cash position. It is not expected to have a significant impact on revenue or profit in the current financial year.' In 2023, Robson-Kanu launched a campaign with Sainsbury's to promote his turmeric shots. The star appeared in an advert pretending to be a Sainsbury's shop floor worker just two years after his career came to an end. HOW ROBSON-KANU DISCOVERED TURMERIC 'GOLD' Earlier in 2023, he also opened up about the reasons behind his business ventures. After joining Reading's academy at the age of 15, Robson-Kanu suffered two severe injuries before breaking into the first team, both of which required surgery. He was told by club doctors that he would likely never play without pain and restriction in his knee again, prompting him to take prescribed painkillers. However, after these had an adverse effect on his body, the former Wales international turned to natural remedies. He told The Reading Chronicle: "It was at that point where me and my dad basically went on a research binge. We began looking at natural ways to recover from pain, inflammation and swelling. "We went to the library and scoured the internet. We looked at ancient Asian practices in eastern cultures where they would use natural remedies. "What we began to find was these natural ingredients which kept recurring, like watermelon, pomegranate, pineapple, ginger and turmeric in the raw format." The star said it was the raw ingredients that were key to having an impact on recovery and so he set out with his dad to source the ingredients for his magical blend. While the taste didn't land at first, they eventually perfected the blend of "raw, natural ingredients" into a "golden elixir". After adding more nutrients, micronutrients and macronutrients, Robson-Kanu said the "golden blend" was giving him a "real boost of energy". Regular consumption helped him make progress and eventually the pain and inflammation in his knee subsided, giving him full flexibility once more.