2020 vision: tomorrow’s stars

Who will be the rising stars of the business world by the end of the next decade? We set out to find the Richard Bransons and Charles Dunstones of the next generation – under-25s who already have a track record of business start-ups and social entrepreneurship. Edie Lush talks to ten of them

Fraser Doherty, 19, founder of SuperJam

Fraser Doherty started SuperJam in 2003 at the age of just 14. After being taught to make jam by his Irish grandmother in her kitchen one afternoon, Doherty decided to set up a business making jam using her secret recipes. That same day, Doherty made his first few jars of homemade jam and later sold them to the neighbours, who were very enthusiastic about his business idea. Within a few months, he was selling his homemade produce door-to-door, at church fêtes and at farmers’ markets in his hometown of Edinburgh. By the time he reached 16, he decided to leave school and make jam full time. After setting up production, creating a brand and perfecting his recipes, Doherty became the youngest-ever supplier to a major supermarket chain when Waitrose launched the range in March 2007. SuperJam now supplies most of the main chains (over 1,000 stores) in the UK and is working on expanding overseas. SuperJam sells more than 500,000 jars a year and is exhibited in the National Museum of Scotland as an ‘Iconic Scottish Brand’ alongside Irn Bru, Tunnock’s and Baxters. Gordon Brown commended Doherty at a dinner at Downing Street, after hearing about his amazing story. The company also invests in running ‘SuperJam Tea Parties’ for elderly people who live alone, in care homes or in sheltered housing.