Business Learners Discover What Makes Grenade Tick

Applied Business learners at Solihull Sixth Form College gained insight into a local business success story this week during a guest talk from leading nutrition brand Grenade.

Hope Hadley and Dave McDowell from Grenade’s People Experience team visited campus to speak with students on the BTEC Business course. They shared the company’s journey, originally founded by former student Juliet Barratt before its sale to Mondelez, owners of Cadbury. Hope and Dave outlined how joining Mondelez has supported the brand’s growth, including the launch of new flavours such as Oreo and the limited‑edition Creme Egg bar.

Students took part in a taste‑testing session, offering feedback on both the product range and Grenade’s wider marketing and promotional strategies. The session highlighted the brand’s diverse promotional activity, including events, partnerships, stunts and online advertising.

The interactive presentation additionally provided valuable employability advice. Learners were introduced to Grenade’s recruitment and selection process and received tips on how to enhance their prospects in the sector, such as building a professional presence on LinkedIn to showcase their skills to potential employers.

Applied Business teacher Philip Rafferty commented:

"We are grateful to Hope and Dave for giving up their time to talk to our young people. Their insights into what makes a successful business and advice for our students' future careers was invaluable."

26 February 2026