Lee Forster

Lee Forster is a former GB international swimmer who competed for almost a decade, gaining exposure to world-class nutritional expertise. After retiring from competitive swimming at the age of 25, he founded Neat Nutrition, a premium wellness brand. The company was conceived from his observation that the sports nutrition market was often complex and confusing. Through a focus on simplifying nutrition, Neat Nutrition aimed to provide straightforward, palatable products for healthy lifestyles. Following its launch, Neat Nutrition achieved significant growth, reporting over 700% year-over-year growth for three consecutive years. This success led to a seed investment round, securing £1.5 million for the company’s further development. Neat Nutrition subsequently became a leading wellness brand on platforms such as Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter, and its products are featured in several London fitness studios, including Boom Cycle and 1Rebel.

Beyond his entrepreneurial work with Neat Nutrition, Lee Forster’s career has expanded to include roles in strategic consulting and venture capital. He has served as a General Partner at Praetura Ventures, a Manchester-based venture capital investor, where he was instrumental in launching and managing the GMC Life Sciences Fund in collaboration with government and industry partners. His consulting career includes advising US corporations like S.C. Johnson on eCommerce innovation and Rich’s Food on strategic mergers and acquisitions. He also founded LELLE & Co, a firm that offers strategic advice on M&A, market expansion, and growth strategy to investors and companies. Forster’s board and advisory experience spans various sectors, including healthcare, artificial intelligence, and consumer businesses in both the US and UK.

Forster’s background as an elite athlete and his subsequent experience in business have positioned him as a notable figure in the pharmaceutical and wellness industries. He is frequently invited to participate as a panelist at global events, where he discusses topics such as ‘How to Create Wellness in the Workplace,’ ‘Building a successful start-up in Health and Fitness,’ and ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurship in the Workplace.’ His insights have been featured on broadcasts including LBC London News in April 2018, BBC Global Business News in May 2018, and Bloomberg Business News in August 2018. He holds an MSc in Economics & Finance and a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Bath, where he continues to mentor students through the Gold Scholarship Programme.