Karin Ridgers
VegfestUK presenter
So who is Karin Ridgers?
Karin Ridgers gave up her private banking career to promote vegan living full time. A scary move that has meant she has worked flat out with ups and downs running her own business for 14 years.
Karin was very excited to come third in the recent VegfestUK Awards for Best Individual Achievement of the Decade. Sir Paul McCartney came first and extreme marathon runner and animal sanctuary owner Fiona came second – so tough competition!
Karin is the founder of VeggieVision TV – that promotes positive vegan living.
Karin has filmed with and interviewed Brian May, Virginia McKenna, Martin Clunes, Anthea Turner, Lorraine Chase, Matthew Wright, Wendy Turner Webster, Laura Hamilton, Peter Eagan, Rick Wakeman, Helen Chamberlain she has also interviewed Sean Hughes and Joanna Lumley.
Karin coaches media and celebrities to be vegan.
Karin is thrilled to work closely with VegfestUK!
She is the VegfestUK ‘MC’. She gains VegfestUK and veganism a lot of media coverage and she encourages and arranges for media to attend the festivals too.
Karin runs MAD-Promotions an ethical PR company that focuses on businesses that are making the world a better place.
Karin has gained clients £100,00’s over the years in free editorial coverage – resulting in profiles of clients being raised, clients gaining their own regular columns, running competitions, having products reviewed and more.
Her work saved a local animal sanctuary from being closed down and has helped raise more than £40,000 for animals – this meant that 2 UK based animal sanctuaries animals did not have to be put down – saving the lives of over 300 animals.
Karin has taken part in more than 200 radio interviews – all promoting how easy, fun, healthy and kinder it is to lead a vegan life.
When the Managing Editor of BBC Essex met Karin he recommended her to be a ‘Loud Woman’ – a small team of women who regularly appear on Sadie Nines award winning show. One of Karin’s blasts was so popular it was turned into an advert for the show and helped win 2 BBC Gold awards.
Karin was asked to be the voice for vegetarians in the UK and appeared on Sky News live addressing the horse meat scandal.
Karin is the VegfestUK presenter and promoter. She introduces the top acts, she presents the awards and is the moderator for the debates which are filmed in front on a live audience as well as streamed live worldwide.
She meets with hotel and restaurant owners and managers and with the power of VeggieVision behind her they listen to how and why to cater for vegans.
Karin has liaised with the managers of Centre Parcs, Butlins through to the best restaurants and hotels in the UK – 5 Red Star Chewton Glen and Roux at the Landau.
Still a favourite quote if from the much loved Joanna Lumley OBE said of Karin:
“And well done Karin who was like a dear black clad bottle of bubbly.”
Karin has also won awards from Viva! and SMTV for her work in spreading the veggie word.
How long you have been vegan/ Veggie
Hmmmm about 25 years veggie and about 20 vegan.
Why vegan?
I realised what it was I was eating and suddenly everything made sense! Why on earth do we eat animal products when we don’t need too!
You seem to like promoting veganism to the media!
I love it!
I have advised Center Parcs about being vegan friendly, I am a vegan contact for The Mailonline, I seem to be the go to vegan person for how to cater for vegans at Christmas every year! I have written for the Mailonline, for Ocado and for Leona Lewis’s blog… as well as vegan media, Essex media and B2B media.
I have my own radio again on Phoenix FM too! Every Friday from 6pm to 8pm which I love. I have had Rozalla, Heather Small, Baby D, Phil Fearon and other some people on the show.
Favourite Food?
A super fresh, raw salad with spinach, pineapple, nuts, tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, avocado and another other veggies – other than celery. Yuk. With some flaxseed crackers and some raw dip.
Or one of my delicious green smoothies – water, banana, spinach, pineapple, hemp seeds and green powders.
Or a bowl of chips with vegan mayo.
Or cold roast potato sandwiches with brown sauce.
Or anything vegan!
Favourite way to chill out?
What does chill out mean?! I never stop!
I just love my work, I have the best clients and passionate about spreading a positive vegan message.
I do love to read, love personal development and taking time with my lovely son Callum and hubby Glyn.
Love going to the gym too.
Whats your perfect date?
A picnic on a sunny day.
Going to the theatre.
Filming and chatting to likeminded interesting people.
Cooking something new.
Me time writing and reading.
Taking my son Callum out.
Who inspires you and why?
Tony Robbins the American Peak Performance Coach. Just love him.
Tell us a secret……
I played Alan Carr’s pregnant wife for his TV show. The sketch was never been aired.
Whats your downfall?
Has to be ….. chocolate… YUM so many super dairy free chocs now.