Ben Fildes’ entrepreneurial journey has gone from strength to strength since he started his studies at Keele in 2018, and he credits the University for helping with the success of his first business.

Whilst studying for his BA in Marketing and Management at Keele Business School, Ben and his friend began to manufacture biltong, a healthy South African-inspired snack, to sell at local markets. Eager to take the business to the next level, Ben approached local celebrity and former World’s Strongest Man, Eddie ‘The Beast’ Hall, to affiliate the product, resulting in a new venture and the launch of ‘Beast Foods’.

Ben said: “We officially launched Beast Foods in June 2020, when the pandemic was still in its early stages. With Eddie’s online following, and everyone at home ordering things for delivery, we felt that it was the perfect time to launch. Around the same time, we were given the opportunity to sell our products in B&M stores, which really helped to elevate the business. Now, two years on, we are looking to take the brand to new heights.”

Ben is currently studying for an MSc in Enterprise and Innovation at Keele and says that combining his business with his course is a win-win situation: “It has been a hard few years running a business alongside my studies, but the support and insights gained from Keele have made it much easier. I can use real-life experiences from the business to influence my university work, and the strategy and knowledge I am learning during my studies helps the business in return.”

As a student, Ben was able to take advantage of Keele’s Student Enterprise scheme, allowing him to access office space in the Smart Innovation Hub - a purpose-built facility for business collaboration, co-located alongside the Keele Business School. Ben has also been able to use the University’s Research and Innovation Support Programme to access an Advisor, enabling him to collaboratively develop ideas that can take the company forward.

“The support from Keele Gateway has been fantastic. Being based on the Science and Innovation Park has enabled me to embed myself into the local business community, which has resulted in talks with a number of other tenants on the Park about exciting projects and potential business ventures.

"Keele University has been a key partner to me over the past three years, both in terms of supporting my studies and providing me with the tools to develop my business. Having access to lecturers, business experts and talented students has been so valuable, and I would not be in the position I am today without that support.”

Now hired by the Keele Institute for Innovation and Teaching Excellence, Ben works with current students, using his experience to provide entrepreneurship advice, mentoring and incubation support to future business owners. If you would like to learn more Beast Foods or enquire directly to about Ben, you can visit his LinkedIn profile here.