Episode 16: Jo Boughton-White

In this episode of Meet the Animal People, Chris Whatling sits down with Jo Boughton-White CEO of Dorwest Herbs, a proudly family-run business and one of the longest-standing names in natural pet supplements.Jo shares her journey from a childhood spent surrounded by animals to forging her own academic and professional path, before ultimately returning to the family business with a renewed sense of purpose. She opens up about the realities of running a multi-generational brand in today’s competitive pet industry, the pressure of staying authentic in a fast-paced market, and what it really takes to maintain a strong company culture.Together, Chris and Jo explore everything from the evolution of herbal supplements, to the importance of quality ingredients, customer trust, and the increasing commercialisation of the pet market. Jo also discusses Dorwest’s commitment to social responsibility including the Dorwest Foundation and the company’s work supporting rehabilitation and employment opportunities for ex-offenders.This conversation is full of honesty, heart, and practical takeaways for anyone in the pet industry: from leadership lessons and workplace wellbeing, to product development, marketing, and looking after the animals at the centre of it all.If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, family business dynamics, pet health, or simply want to understand what keeps a legacy brand thriving this is an episode you’ll love.