“There is power in father and son, like in any business where there is family involved,” says Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu, the former Reading, West Bromwich Albion and Wales international player. “But you have to get it right. That structure and accountability is really important in making sure there are no blurred lines.”

After six years in business, the pair seem to have a clear vision, with The Turmeric Co. now seen as one of the UK’s fastest growing health brands.

Launched direct-to-consumer in 2018, the business saw 100% growth in 2023 and has, according to Robson-Kanu, impacted 250,000 people with its product range.

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The Turmeric Co, which now employs over 60 staff, is a product of two cruciate ligament injuries endured by the now 35-year-old Robson-Kanu during his early career. Along with his father, Rechi, they first began researching at local libraries in 2006, as they sought to understand which ingredients and practices could combat pain and swelling before sourcing from local markets.

“It’s been quite a journey,” says Robson-Kanu, who retired in 2021. “I had that balance between elite sport and setting up an entrepreneurial business. It was very challenging and demanding, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.”

In 2016, they realised they had to bring their product to market. “We went to the leading food beverage companies in the UK and Europe and no one would touch our products,” says Robson-Kanu.

“They said the ingredients were too expensive and fresh, complex to make and said we were crazy for even bringing a product like this to market.

“The negative feedback gave us the realisation that the opportunity was massive and bigger than what we originally thought.”

Father (innovation director) and son (CEO) set about demolishing some shops from property they owned and instead set up a bespoke manufacturing site to produce the health shots.

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“There was such a difference in quality and effectiveness in what we were delivering, the ingredients and blends, that’s what makes the product unique,” he says, adding: “Versus what was on the market; apple and orange juice, water and small amounts of functional ingredients which have no benefits.

“Because my body had such an adverse reaction to standard medication, I was all for trying the traditional options of natural raw, fresh products which could potentially heal. Within six weeks of using the blend, I was pain free and it was a life-changing moment.”

Within four weeks, the pair received their first product testimonials from consumers with chronic fatigue, arthritis or back pain. “They were life-changing testimonials. It inspired us to reach more and more people,” he adds.

Upon reaching 1,000 testimonials, Turmeric Co. partnered with Nottingham Trent University to help build up a clearer data picture. The resulting clinical study on an elite group of athletes showed that turmeric supplementation resulted in significant reduction in leg muscle soreness (by 77%), whole body muscle soreness (106%) and inflammation blood markers (1,082%) post match.

“That was quite incredible,” admits Robson-Kanu. “If it was a capsule or tablet, maybe it would be already distributed for medicinal benefits. But it is a food and that’s what we are building awareness around and championing. The fact that food can be a medicine and can heal.”

Robson-Kanu believes it is the clinical study that now stands his product apart. The base of their blend is watermelon, which research has shown to be one of nature’s most powerful reductions in muscle soreness post activity.

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“It’s not just the turmeric, it is the blend,” he says. “That’s what we identified and why we made the step.”

Turmeric Co. now has BRC AA+ certification, one of the biggest food safety and quality standards in the world, as well as owning its own process and working with over 20 elite sports teams. “We have become our own gatekeepers,” states Robson-Kanu.

“This blend of what my father created allowed me to have a career pain free. It healed me and at that time I would never have had the career that I had without it.”

Behind the brand: Robson-Kanu on…

Lessons in football

“I had to learn real discipline to compete. I was at a disadvantage [with my injuries] and was able to do more with less. I had to have the focus and ability to face adversity. When you look at leadership that is a lot of what is all of the time. How do you manage, control change while motivating the team and business to continue to move in the direction you need it to move in.”

Future growth

“Our evolution will be looking to build brand houses, with multiple different products. They all serve a similar purpose in that they are food beverages which allow people to heal naturally.

I would love to see The Turmeric Co. at all the marathons around the world. That should be a standard prerequisite, to support every marathon runner in training and recovery. When I look at our vision, I see a world where our product is prescribed by doctors on the NHS, if people want to take the natural option.”

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