Genius seeks to double workforce

GENIUS, the Scottish gluten-free food firm backed by Sir Bill Gammell, is seeking to double its workforce as it prepares to expand its product range in the UK and branch out into Europe.

Founder Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne said the Edinburgh company, which employs 12, is at a “very fascinating” stage as it continues to take the UK gluten-free market by storm.

The business is regarded as one of Scotland’s most exciting start-ups of the past few years. Launched in April 2009, it has reached annual sales of £23 million and lays claim to 31 per cent of Britain’s gluten-free food market. This year it launched in the US and Canada and Bruce-Gardyne is now eyeing several European markets.

“We are expanding in every area of the business,” she said. “We might be doubling [the workforce] in the next year. There’s a lot going on and when we are in a position to, we will be moving into Europe. The main [target] markets are Italy, which is very receptive to new ideas, Spain and France.”

Cairn Energy founder Gammell, who is coeliac, supported Bruce-Gardyne after meeting her through their sons who attend the same school.

The firm is currently tapping its backers for another round of investment to support its growth plans, which include the expansion of its stable of 15 products sold in Britain.

“[Our lender] the Clydesdale Bank has been extremely supportive. We are just going through an investment round at the moment. We have got a great team of extremely supportive shareholders,” Bruce-Gardyne said.