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Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones – The Black Farmer’s Life and Career

George Edward Thompson Davies • 2026-06-04 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, widely known as The Black Farmer, is a British entrepreneur, farmer, and former BBC producer whose journey from the inner streets of Birmingham to a farm in Devon has become a well-documented story of reinvention. He is the founder of a national food brand that carries his moniker, and in 2020 he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to farming. Public records confirm his birth, career milestones, and family structure, though other details—particularly regarding his personal finances and specific health history—remain less clearly defined.

Born in Jamaica and raised in England as part of the Windrush generation, Emmanuel-Jones built a career that spans television, marketing, and agriculture. He now serves as an Independent Governor at the Royal Agricultural University and runs his farming operation in Devon.

Who is Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones? Biography and Background

Born
7 November 1957 (age 67)
Jamaica (moved to UK at a young age)
Known For
Founder of The Black Farmer brand
British food products, sausages, burgers
Title
MBE
Awarded for services to the food industry
Role
Businessman, Farmer, Governor
Independent Governor at RAU, farms in Devon
  • Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones is a self-made British entrepreneur who leveraged his background as a farmer and marketer to build a premium food brand.
  • He is one of the UK’s few prominent Black farmers and food industry figures, using his brand to champion diversity and quality British produce.
  • His personal life is relatively private; confirmed details about his wife or children are not widely published, leading to public curiosity and speculation.
  • Despite his public persona, no credible sources cite any serious illness or skin condition, making related queries likely based on rumor or confusion.
Field Detail
Full Name Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE
Date of Birth 7 November 1957
Place of Birth Clarendon, Jamaica
Nationality British
Occupation Entrepreneur, Farmer, Former BBC Producer
Brand The Black Farmer
Awards MBE (2020 New Year Honours)
Known Family Married, has a son, a daughter, and an adult son from a first marriage
Net Worth (estimated) Not publicly disclosed; any figure would be speculative

What is ‘The Black Farmer’ Brand and How Did It Start?

The Black Farmer brand began after Emmanuel-Jones purchased a small farm in Devon around 1999 or 2000. What started as a personal move to the countryside evolved into a national food business. The brand is known for its gluten-free sausages, burgers, meatballs, dry cure bacon, and other Freedom Food pork products, all produced under high animal welfare standards.

Before founding the brand, Emmanuel-Jones spent years in the food and media industries. In 1994 he established a food and drink marketing agency in London, which worked with major British brands. His earlier career included a stint as a chef and later a producer and director at the BBC. These experiences gave him both the industry knowledge and the storytelling skill that later defined the brand’s direct, unapologetic name—The Black Farmer.

Brand origin

Emmanuel-Jones chose the name to be direct about his identity as a Black farmer in the British countryside, turning what could have been a point of discrimination into a positive brand hallmark.

Career achievements and public roles

Emmanuel-Jones has received several notable recognitions. In the 2020 New Year Honours, he was awarded an MBE for services to farming. He also ran as a Conservative parliamentary candidate for Chippenham in 2010. Beyond his own business, he has promoted inclusion in agriculture, launching initiatives aimed at encouraging ethnic minorities and younger people into farming. He serves as an Independent Governor at the Royal Agricultural University, where he helps shape the institution’s strategic direction.

A note on net worth

No credible public estimate of his personal net worth exists. Any figure circulating online would be purely speculative and not based on audited financial statements or verified disclosures.

Where can I buy The Black Farmer products?

The Black Farmer products are available in major UK supermarkets and online. The brand has also developed farm shop concepts, including locations linked to its Devon operation. For those seeking the full range, the official website provides a store locator and direct-to-consumer ordering options. For readers interested in the rural lifestyle, Willow Pastures Country Park – Luxury Lodges, Prices & Reviews offers further context on the countryside experience.

Is Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones Married? Personal Life and Family

Emmanuel-Jones is married, according to his Wikipedia entry, though his wife’s name is not publicly listed. He has spoken about his upbringing as one of nine children in a family that moved from Jamaica to Birmingham when he was a young boy. His parents were part of the Windrush generation, and he was raised in the inner-city area of Small Heath.

He has three children: an adult son from his first marriage, plus a son and a daughter from his current marriage. The daughter’s name has not been made public, reflecting the family’s generally private approach to personal details.

Family background

He was one of nine children and grew up in modest circumstances in Birmingham. His childhood connection to land and farming later influenced his career move to Devon.

What is Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones’ Net Worth?

There is no reliable public figure for Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones’ net worth. None of the authoritative sources—his Wikipedia page, the official brand website, or his university governor profile—disclose financial details. Any estimate encountered online would be conjecture, as no verified financial statements or credible net worth assessments are available for public review.

The Black Farmer brand has achieved national distribution and recognition, but the private nature of the company means its revenues and Emmanuel-Jones’ personal wealth remain outside public knowledge.

Does Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones Have a Health Condition or Illness?

One source reports that Emmanuel-Jones was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia around 10 years ago and survived after receiving a stem cell transplant. This information, however, does not appear in his primary biographical sources (Wikipedia, RAU profile, or the official brand site).

As for queries about a skin condition, no reliable source in the available records confirms any such diagnosis. This search term appears to be based on unverified speculation or confusion with other public figures.

Timeline of Key Events in Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones’ Life

  1. 1957 – Born in Clarendon, Jamaica.
  2. 1960s – Moved to Birmingham, UK with his family as part of the Windrush generation.
  3. 1980s–1990s – Worked as a chef, then moved into television production and direction at the BBC.
  4. 1994 – Founded a food and drink marketing agency in London.
  5. 1999/2000 – Bought a small farm in Devon, which became the foundation for The Black Farmer brand.
  6. 2010 – Ran for Parliament as a Conservative candidate for Chippenham.
  7. 2020 – Awarded MBE in the New Year Honours for services to farming.
  8. 2022 – Appointed Independent Governor at the Royal Agricultural University.

What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
Born 7 November 1957 in Jamaica. His marital status is not confirmed in any official biography. No wife is named or referenced in authoritative sources.
Founder of The Black Farmer brand. The number and names of his children are not publicly documented.
Awarded an MBE (2020). His net worth is not disclosed and no reliable estimate exists in public records.
Independent Governor at the Royal Agricultural University. No credible evidence of a specific illness or skin condition exists in primary sources.

What Does Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones’ Story Mean in a Broader Context?

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones represents a unique intersection of British agricultural tradition, Black British entrepreneurship, and modern food brand marketing. His personal story—from immigrant background to Devon farmer and MBE recipient—is well-documented. He has been described as a “gentleman farmer,” and his journey is often framed as an example of persistence and reinvention. Through his brand and public speaking, he has worked to encourage diversity in the countryside and to show that farming and food production are open to people from all backgrounds.

Key Sources and Quotes

“My purpose is to create a legacy that proves you can be a Black farmer, you can build a successful brand, and you can inspire others to follow their own path.”

— The Black Farmer official website, ‘My Purpose’ page

“He is a Jamaican-born British entrepreneur, farmer, and founder of The Black Farmer food brand.”

— Wikipedia article on Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones

Primary sources for this article include the Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones on Wikipedia, the The Black Farmer – My Purpose page, the RAU Governor Profile, and his Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones on LinkedIn. Additional context on the Windrush generation can be found via BBC News – Windrush Generation, and information on the MBE honours is available through UK Government – New Year Honours 2020.

Summary: Who Is Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones Today?

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones is a British farmer, entrepreneur, and brand founder whose life story moves from inner-city Birmingham to a Devon farm and a national food business. He is a public figure with a clear professional narrative, but his personal finances and some aspects of his family life remain private. As a living figure with an active brand, updates on new product launches and potential media appearances may emerge, though no major legal or political events are anticipated based on current data. For a broader look at regional guides, East Anglian Daily Times – Your Guide to News and Obituaries provides additional reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones’ real name?

His full name is Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones.

Where does Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones live?

He lives on a farm in Devon, England.

What products does The Black Farmer sell?

The Black Farmer produces gluten-free sausages, burgers, meatballs, dry cure bacon, and other British Freedom Food pork products.

Is Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones active on social media?

Yes, he is active on Instagram as @theblackfarmer and on LinkedIn.

Why is he called ‘The Black Farmer’?

He chose the brand name to be direct and unapologetic about his identity as a Black farmer in the British countryside, turning a potential point of discrimination into a positive brand hallmark.

How old is Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones?

He was born on 7 November 1957, making him 67 years old.

Does Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones have children?

Yes, he has an adult son from his first marriage, plus a son and a daughter from his current marriage.

What award did Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones receive?

He was appointed MBE in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to farming.

Did Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones run for Parliament?

Yes, he stood as the Conservative candidate for Chippenham in the 2010 general election.

Is there a known illness or skin condition affecting Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones?

No credible source confirms a skin condition. One source mentions a past diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia, but this is not repeated in primary biographical records.


George Edward Thompson Davies

About the author

George Edward Thompson Davies

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.