{{Short description|British businessman and animal rights activist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use British English|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Matthew Glover | image = | birth_name = | birth_date = | occupation = {{hlist|Veganuary founder|businessman}} | known_for = {{hlist|Veganuary|Veg Capital|VFC}} | website = | spouse = Jane Land }} '''Matthew Glover''' is a British businessman and animal rights activist. He is the co-founder of the Veganuary movement, which his wife Jane Land helped to create. In 2019, Glover founded Generation Vegan (formerly known as Million Dollar Vegan), a global education charity focused on veganism. In addition he is the founder of Veg Capital, which helps fund vegan food businesses. In December 2020, Glover and Adam Lyons created the vegan food brand VFC, a business that went onto become an international venture.
==Career and personal life== Glover is married to Jane Land, and they live near York.<ref>{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Joe|date=9 February 2019|title=Vegans to pay Pope Francis $1,000,000 to try diet for lent|url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/02/09/vegans-pay-pope-francis-1000000-try-diet-lent-8491511/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209181923/https://metro.co.uk/2019/02/09/vegans-pay-pope-francis-1000000-try-diet-lent-8491511/|archive-date=2019-02-09|access-date=14 January 2022|website=Metro}}</ref><ref name="countryliving" /> Glover came from a family of butchers and converted to veganism. His interest was initially with animal welfare and sustainability.<ref name="countryliving">{{cite web|last=Barratt|first=Sarah|date=30 December 2019|title=The founders of Veganuary share their tips on how to nail it|url=https://www.countryliving.com/uk/create/food-and-drink/a30022067/founders-veganuary-tips/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119205727/https://www.countryliving.com/uk/create/food-and-drink/a30022067/founders-veganuary-tips/|archive-date=2020-01-19|access-date=14 January 2022|website=Country Living}}</ref> Together, Glover and Land attended street activism and vegan demonstrations. They felt like they were being ignored and subsequently they wanted to create something productive.<ref>{{cite interview |last=Glover |first=Matthew |interviewer-last=Ho |interviewer-first=Sally |date=31 December 2020 |title={{-'}}It's The Easiest Year Ever To Go Vegan{{'-}} |url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/interview-matthew-glover-veganuary-co-founder-its-the-easiest-year-ever-to-go-vegan/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231161207/https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/interview-matthew-glover-veganuary-co-founder-its-the-easiest-year-ever-to-go-vegan/|archive-date=2020-12-31|access-date=14 January 2022|website=Green Queen}}</ref> The concept of Veganuary was created by Glover and Land in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|date=3 January 2020|title='Why I started the Veganuary movement'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-50987943|access-date=14 January 2022|website=BBC News}}</ref> The campaign aims to get more people eating plant-based foods with the aim to becoming a permanent vegan.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|last=Wood|first=Zoe|date=1 January 2022|title=Veganuary set to pass 2m milestone as more firms join movement|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jan/01/veganuary-set-to-pass-2m-milestone-as-more-firms-join-movement|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101091354/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jan/01/veganuary-set-to-pass-2m-milestone-as-more-firms-join-movement|archive-date=2022-01-01|access-date=14 January 2022|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
In its first year, Glover and Land put their life savings into the Veganuary project and moved in with Glover's mother.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gordon|first=Maxine|date=11 January 2019|title=Meet the York couple behind Veganuary who've turned half a million people vegan|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17349431.meet-york-couple-behind-veganuary-whove-turned-half-million-people-vegan/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114204235/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17349431.meet-york-couple-behind-veganuary-whove-turned-half-million-people-vegan/|archive-date=2022-01-14|access-date=14 January 2022|work=The Press}}</ref> The campaign has surpassed one million sign ups since its launch.<ref name=Guardian/> By 2022, The Veganuary event has grown to become one of the most successful vegan campaigns worldwide. That year another six-hundred thousand people signed up to take part.<ref>{{cite web |title=January 2022: Viva! Vegan Podcast |url=https://viva.org.uk/lifestyle/podcast/january-2022-viva-vegan-podcast-2/ |website=Viva! The Vegan Charity |access-date=14 January 2022 |date=1 January 2022}}</ref> In addition more businesses than ever promoted the event.<ref name="Guardian" />
Glover started his first business aged twenty-one and has built businesses in the construction, glazing and events sectors.<ref name="bio">{{cite web |title=Team |url=https://vegcapital.co.uk/team/ |work=Veg Capital |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114174937/https://vegcapital.co.uk/team/ |archive-date=2022-01-14 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2019, Glover launched the "Million Dollar Vegan" (now GenV) charity brand.<ref>{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Catherine|date=12 January 2022|title=Veganuary – how an idea over a glass of wine in York became a global phenomenon|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/health/veganuary-how-an-idea-over-a-glass-of-wine-in-york-became-a-global-phenomenon-3524191|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112165910/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/health/veganuary-how-an-idea-over-a-glass-of-wine-in-york-became-a-global-phenomenon-3524191|archive-date=2022-01-12|access-date=14 January 2022|website=The Yorkshire Post}}</ref> GenV is dedicated to educating people about the environmental, ethical and health benefits of living a plant-based lifestyle. Its aim is to inspire more people to become vegan and it operates in ten countries.<ref name=mdvegan>{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.milliondollarvegan.com/about/ |website=Million Dollar Vegan |access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref> The brand soon received support from Paul McCartney, Chris Packham and Moby.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gordon|first=Maxine|date=6 February 2019|title=York couple launch million-dollar campaign to turn Pope vegan|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17413321.york-couple-launch-million-dollar-vegan-campaign-turn-pope-vegan/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114190623/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17413321.york-couple-launch-million-dollar-vegan-campaign-turn-pope-vegan|archive-date=14 January 2022|access-date=14 January 2022|work=The Press}}</ref> The organisation was founded after Glover and Land, with the backing of McCartney, challenged Pope Francis to become vegan for Lent.<ref name=":0" /> In return, they pledged to donate one million dollars to Pope Francis' chosen charity, but he did not accept the challenge.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Carrington|first=Damian|date=6 February 2019|title=Pope Francis offered $1m charity donation to go vegan for Lent|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/06/pope-francis-offered-1m-charity-donation-to-go-vegan-for-lent|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206055744/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/06/pope-francis-offered-1m-charity-donation-to-go-vegan-for-lent|archive-date=2019-02-06|access-date=14 January 2022|website=The Guardian}}</ref> Their second campaign challenged US President Donald Trump to become vegan during January 2020. In exchange for his participation the same one million dollar charity reward was offered, though Trump too declined.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kilander|first=Gustaf|date=1 October 2021|title=Trump refused to go vegan for a month in case it killed a much-needed brain cell|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-vegan-challenge-brain-cell-b1930661.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001140649/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-vegan-challenge-brain-cell-b1930661.html|archive-date=2021-10-01|access-date=16 January 2022|website=The Independent}}</ref> Glover is the current president of the charity.<ref name=mdvegan/>
In June 2020, Glover launched a plant-based investment business. The not-for-profit venture was designed to help fund the growth of vegan companies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mattinson|first=Alec|date=8 June 2020|title=Veganuary co-founder Matthew Glover launches vegan investment fund|url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fundraising/veganuary-co-founder-matthew-glover-launches-vegan-investment-fund/645164.article|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114175413/https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fundraising/veganuary-co-founder-matthew-glover-launches-vegan-investment-fund/645164.article|archive-date=2022-01-14|access-date=14 January 2022|website=The Grocer}}</ref> Glover currently serves as the managing director of the company Veg Capital.<ref name=bio/>
In December 2020, Glover and restaurateur Adam Lyons co-founded the food brand VFC, which specialises in meat free alternatives for fried chicken.<ref name="york1">{{cite web|last=Gordon|first=Maxine|date=1 January 2022|title=KFC or VFC? York duo launch Vegan Fried Chick*n as Veganuary starts|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18977317.kfc-vfc-york-duo-sell-vegan-fried-chick-n-veganuary/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101084416/https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18977317.kfc-vfc-york-duo-sell-vegan-fried-chick-n-veganuary/|archive-date=2021-01-01|access-date=14 January 2022|website=The Press}}</ref> The company was founded in York, United Kingdom.<ref name=york1/> Glover treated the brand as a form of business activism against the factory farming of chickens. He told Maxine Gordon from ''The Press'' that "this is where food meets activism. This is our sit-down protest."<ref name=york1/> The company experienced rapid growth and secured a supermarket distribution deal with Tesco.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gilbert|first=Helen|date=5 October 2021|title=Vegan fried chicken alternative VFC lands first supermarket listing in Tesco|url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/plant-based/vegan-fried-chicken-alternative-vfc-lands-first-supermarket-listing-in-tesco/660491.article|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005140654/https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/plant-based/vegan-fried-chicken-alternative-vfc-lands-first-supermarket-listing-in-tesco/660491.article|archive-date=2021-10-05|access-date=14 January 2022|work=The Grocer}}</ref> In the first year of trading, the business expanded its sales into Spain, Netherlands and the United States markets.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pun|first=Amanda|date=28 December 2021|title=The plant-based revolution: 10 European vegan meat alternative brands to check out|url=https://www.eu-startups.com/2021/12/the-plant-based-revolution-10-european-vegan-meat-alternative-brands-to-check-out/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228092545/https://www.eu-startups.com/2021/12/the-plant-based-revolution-10-european-vegan-meat-alternative-brands-to-check-out/|archive-date=2021-12-28|access-date=14 January 2022|website=EU-Startups}}</ref><ref name="qsrmag">{{cite web|date=23 September 2021|title=U.K.-Based Vegan Chicken Brand Comes to U.S.|url=https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/uk-based-vegan-chicken-brand-comes-us|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220114091722/https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/uk-based-vegan-chicken-brand-comes-us|archive-date=2022-01-14|access-date=14 January 2022|website=QSR magazine}}</ref>
In July 2022, Glover co-founded Sentient Ventures, a new UK venture fund to invest in early-stage growth capital for alt protein startups globally.<ref>{{cite web|date=5 July 2022|title=Veganuary Founder Matthew Glover Announces £30M Sentient Ventures Vegan Fund|url=https://vegconomist.com/investments-finance/veganuary-founder-matthew-glover-announces-30m-sentient-ventures-vegan-fund/|access-date=28 October 2022|work=Vegconomist}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Glover, Matthew}} Category:Living people Category:British activists Category:British animal rights activists Category:British veganism activists Category:Year of birth missing (living people)