From Salts Mill to Downing Street: building Crysp with national profile

Bradford was the third richest city in the world in 1853. That’s something I’ve carried with me for as long as I can remember. Growing up there, it’s hard not to notice. As a child, I was always struck by the buildings. They’re not just impressive, they tell a story. The scale, the detail, the confidence in how the city was built. In my opinion, there are only a few places in the UK that really compare, parts of London and Bath being the obvious ones.

But alongside that beauty, there was always a question in the background. You grow up hearing what Bradford used to be, while seeing something quite different day to day. That contrast stayed with me. It made me curious, and over time it turned into something more direct. Why not again?

That question really sits at the heart of why I started a business in Bradford with Crysp almost six years ago now.

There’s a lot of talk about regeneration, and rightly so. As a city, we’ve seen real progress recently with Bradford Live, Darley Street Market, and significant city centre and Towns Fund improvements in places like Keighley and Shipley. It matters. But there’s also a lot of noise that comes with it. Plans, announcements, strategies, all of which can feel quite distant from reality. I’ve always felt that what actually moves things forward is much simpler. It’s people deciding to show up and build something real.

I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by people doing exactly that. Neighbours at Salts Mill like Bob Gomersall with Surpass Education, which is an incredible global success story, and Seb Francis with Titus Learning. People who just get on with it. When we picked our key partners - TL Dallas for our insurance and the amazing Victoria Wainwright at Azets.

For me, it wasn’t about waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect conditions. It was about getting started and being part of something that feels bigger than just one business.

One thing I’ve found is that working in Bradford gives you a certain clarity. You can’t hide behind hype or overcomplicate things. If what you’re doing has value, people respond to it. If it doesn’t, you know about it quickly. There’s an honesty to that which I think is incredibly useful. It forces you to focus on what actually matters.

Our early customers played a huge role in shaping that. Many of them are still with us today. Trinity Multi Academy Trust and Carlton Academy Trust, for example, where school leaders gave us honest, practical feedback that really pushed us forward. On the commercial side, businesses like Schofield Sweeney stand out. Their managing partner once gave me a seven page document explaining why he wouldn’t buy the product until we made changes. We made them, and now they’re one of our most valued partners. And of course Delifresh and Rob Ramsden, who gave us a break early on when it really counted.

It builds a different kind of resilience as well. Progress here isn’t always loud or immediate. It’s often quieter than that. Small steps, consistent effort, and then suddenly you realise things are moving. And when they do, it feels genuine. We’re definitely feeling that now in the business.

The people play a big part in that too. There’s a real sense of pride in Bradford, even if it isn’t always shouted about. When people see that you’re committed, that you’re not just passing through but actually investing your time and energy into the place, it creates a connection that’s hard to describe but very easy to feel.

From the beginning, the aim with Crysp has been to build something that is recognised nationally and internationally. Not just for the sake of it, but because it shows what can be done from Bradford. Something that carries a bit of the city with it wherever it goes.

Now that spring is here, it feels like a natural moment to take stock. The last three months have been full on. A lot of learning, a lot of momentum, and at times a fair bit of uncertainty as well. But overall, it’s been incredibly positive.

When I look back at where things were just a short time ago, the progress is clear. More importantly, the belief is still there, and if anything it’s stronger. Bradford doesn’t need fixing, it needs people willing to back it properly. Starting this business was my way of doing that, and six years in, I’m glad I did.