Richard Wilkinson

Co-founder, Doisy & Dam, on innovation, climbing trees, and pink sparkly things

richard wilkinson doisy and dam

What was your first job? Stacking shelves at Planet Organic - I almost got fired on my first day for smashing a 10kg bucket of olives!

What’s been your worst job interview? An interview with Google at 9am the day after my 21st birthday. I’d barely slept and they were asking all sorts of riddles I couldn’t comprehend. At the end I asked whether I’d blown it and they said yes.

What was the first music single you bought? Three Lions - Baddiel & Skinner. Still a big favourite of mine.

How do you describe your job to your mates? No one believes we actually do any work so I tend to tell people we just play around in Willy Wonka-style rivers of chocolate.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? The innovation process - I love seeing something go all the way from an idea we have to a bar on shelf.

What is the least rewarding part? Admin!

What is your motto in life? Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong!

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? For the whole team to work from a different place in the world every six months without it impacting the business.

Do you have any phobias? Snakes freak me out. I don’t trust the way they move…

What luxury would you have on a desert island? Cocoa trees everywhere - that way I could still make chocolate every day and I’d end up being a pro tree climber. A tree-climbing chocolatier…there’s a USP for you!

What animal most reflects your personality? I’d love to be something badass like a shark or tiger but people who know me will read this so I’ll stick to giraffe/horse.

What’s your favourite film? The Untouchables - I love a slightly soppy comedy and this has all of that and more!

What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? In my previous job I texted my boss by accident three times - once telling him I loved him, the second telling him I missed him and the third telling him how much I loved pink sparkly things.

Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? Thierry Henry - not sure how good he’d be working in the chocolate industry but he’s my childhood hero so I’d happily hire him as a brand ambassador/paid friend.