DairyLink’s founder and Managing Director, Barbara Griffiths, says: “It’s wonderful to be featured in NatWest and Getty’s Female Focus #BeTheRoleModel campaign. To be given this recognition after the very long journey we’ve been on makes me feel proud to be a woman in business. I hope I can inspire other women.” 

As part of a new cohort of female-led businesses in the Female Focus campaign, DairyLink UK has benefited from business support and upskilling. “The NatWest team have been brilliant,” says Barbara. “They’ve been in constant communication with me for various events and training schemes. I intend to learn from everything I’m offered and feel that this will then help strengthen my business.”

Although the business launched in 2009, a major turning point for DairyLink came in 2017, when it beat a big dairy brand to secure the milk contract for Hertfordshire Schools.

Barbara recalls: “I was finally recognised as an individual, and DairyLink was recognised as a credible dairy business in a male-dominated industry. I received so many ‘well done’ messages from my male counterparts. And my daughter said: ‘I can’t believe you won that contract, Mum. You’re just a little lady working on her own in her office, and you’ve taken that contract from a big company.’”

During the lockdowns of the past two years, Barbara worked with a local council to help supply milk and bread to vulnerable homes. She also launched a milk delivery service aimed at elderly consumers who couldn’t order from online supermarkets.

Looking to the future, Barbara wants to retain her existing contracts and profit margins, in spite of the challenges created by rising milk prices. And she’s looking to launch a small food product business to complement DairyLink’s delivery service, which already offers eggs, fruit juice and bread alongside its milk, cheese and yogurts.

Barbara also has some inspiring advice for other women in business: “Always believe in yourself. Stay focused on what you’re trying to achieve and be honest with your suppliers and customers. Don’t let people stand in your way – there will always be someone who says it can’t work.”