WHEY TO GO!

How protein entrepreneur made millions after leaving school with one GCSE

- PAIGE OLDFIELD

 A MULTI-MILLIONAIRE who left school with one GCSE has revealed how he turned a simple idea into a business empire.

When Myprotein founder Oliver Cookson first started selling bags of protein online, he had no idea his small company would one day be worth £350m.

The 45-year-old struggled at school in Stockport and left education at the age of 16 with just one GCSE to his name.

Oliver, who is from Cheadle Heath, went on to complete an apprenticeship in computer programming where he found his passion for tech.

With the internet still in its early stages, Oliver also taught himself how to create a website in his spare time.

“School and learning academically wasn’t for me,” he told the M.E.N. “It doesn’t mean it’s wrong, but I think people learn in different ways.

“On the apprenticeship I was making teas and coffees but getting among expert programmers. I read up on how to make a website and taught myself in my spare time. I thought, ‘There’s so much potential here.’”

But Oliver’s life changed forever in 1999 after returning from a sabbatical in Australia. The entrepreneur discovered a passion for fitness after spotting an advert for a David Lloyd gym.

His new-found love of working out led him into taking proteins and supplements – later sparking his interest into what was actually in them.

Oliver was drinking his pre-bed shake one night in his mum’s house when he read up about an ingredient called whey protein.

The then 23-year-old wondered whether there was a cheaper and quicker way of making protein powder himself, seeing him go on to create Myprotein.