Founded | 1984
Headquarters | Corby, Northamptonshire, UK
Products | Health and Wellness
Top Executive | Christopher McDermott, CEO
Just across THE POND, international weight loss leader, The 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, marking four decades of transformed lives and healthier outcomes around the world. But the company has more than four decades to celebrate. For ten years, employee stakeholders have maintained complete ownership of the company, shaping its ethos and values into something they believe will last for decades to come.
A Well-Researched Beginning
The 1:1 Diet of today has experienced an evolution of its name but has remained grounded in scientific research from the very beginning. While the company’s official launch date was in 1984, the earliest research into The 1:1 Diet began in the 1960s with the work of Dr. Alan Howard, who spent his life studying atherosclerosis, obesity and healthy weight management. In the 1970s, his work focused primarily on obesity and the development of a “perfect diet” that could serve people looking to shed large amounts of weight. In 1984, The Cambridge Diet became a commercially available product in the UK and has remained the cornerstone of the company’s product line.
The Cambridge Diet was renamed “The 1:1 Diet” in 2018 because of the one-to-one relationships that lie at the foundation of the company, supporting both healthy weight loss and healthy business building.
“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary this year, our commitment to transforming lives remains,” shared Chief Executive Officer Christopher McDermott. “Through personalized support, ongoing scientific exploration and compassionate guidance, The 1:1 Diet continues to inspire individuals to achieve their weight loss aspirations and embrace healthier, happier lifestyles.”
A Different Way to Diet
Scientifically proven with measurable results over four decades, The 1:1 Diet has helped thousands of people globally through its products and meaningful support from independent consultants across the UK and Ireland. When customers choose The 1:1 Diet, they select a personal diet consultant to work with who develops a unique weight loss plan based on each customer’s specific goals and needs.
The plan includes nutritionally complete products designed to replace at least one meal per day, depending on each customer’s individual needs, which could include shakes, smoothies, soups, cereal, snacks and complete meals. From morning porridge to savory meals, there’s something every customer will enjoy in a collection of 35 products. For customers who aren’t sure which options they’d love, the company offers assorted “taster packs” to try.
“The 1:1 Diet products aren’t merely commodities; they’re vital for impactful change,” Christopher shared. “Our range of nutritionally complete food products, such as indulgent shakes, satisfying bars and wholesome snacks, are developed to meet our dieters’ nutritional needs. And they’re tasty, too. What sets us apart is our commitment to convenience, nutritional completeness and personalized support—all woven into every aspect of our plan.”
The products are developed with the recommended levels of nutrients clinically proven to result in substantial weight loss through caloric restriction and improved diet. Each meal includes 169 health benefits related to the vitamins, minerals and other nutrient-dense ingredients included. But it’s truly the one-to-one support that makes all the difference.
“It’s our products, coupled with the support of a consultant, that makes the magic,” Christopher explained. “Our consultants are the heart and soul of The 1:1 Diet. Beyond selling products, they serve as trusted mentors, allies and partners in their customers’ weight loss journeys, inspiring millions to achieve their goals. Their dedication and personalized approach ensure that everyone receives tailored support, guidance and motivation from someone who understands their needs. Many consultants were once dieters themselves, making their support even more relatable and impactful.”
The company’s network of 6,000 consultants operates exclusively in the UK and Ireland, but the products are exported to over 15 countries around the world.
A Powerful Business Model
Over ten years ago, The 1:1 Diet became a fully employee-owned business, making it one of the very few direct selling companies in the world able to make this claim. Today, the company’s 185 employees, called employee stakeholders, have a significant stake in the success of both the business and the consultants in the field.
In 2014, the company embarked on a significant transition to 100 percent employee ownership, a move that symbolizes our commitment to empowerment and collaboration. This transformative step means that through a Trust, employee stakeholders own the business, granting them a significant stake in its success and a voice in decision-making. Recognized by the UK’s Employee Ownership Association as ‘Employee-Owned Business of the Year’ in 2019, this transition is deeply ingrained in the company’s ethos and values, inspiring employee stakeholders to strive for excellence and innovation.”
These employee stakeholders work together on the company’s campus in Corby in Northamptonshire, north of Cambridge. This has been the company’s home since 1986 and serves as the corporate office, as well as the manufacturing center for The 1:1 Diet’s sachets, bars, meal packs and tubs. This team supports a busy field of consultants who often join after experiencing the power of the products for themselves. Christopher believes The 1:1 Diet opportunity stands apart from the competition in the busy health and wellness space.
“With over 40 years of transforming lives through weight loss and business ownership, we provide a solid foundation for success,” he said. “New consultants step into a leading earning opportunity from day one, tapping into a vast market of individuals seeking weight loss or maintenance solutions. They have the flexibility to mold their businesses according to their preferences, whether part-time or full-time, online or offline, with ongoing support and training provided. Beyond financial rewards, consultants can discover fulfillment in daily life-changing interactions, connecting with a broader network of peers to learn from each other and share best practices. With the freedom to mold their businesses, build teams and set schedules, consultants are empowered to make a tangible impact on others’ lives while relishing the flexibility and autonomy of entrepreneurship.”
Consultants enjoy the support of Christopher’s team of employee stakeholders dedicated to innovating new solutions for both customers and the field. A recently released mobile app provides consultants with a seamless platform to manage their businesses and gives their customers a convenient way to track their progress, order products and access plan-friendly recipes. New product developments are in motion to continue anticipating the changing needs of dieters, as their preferences and lifestyle demands continue to shift. While the company has no immediate plans for further expansion, its global presence continues to grow, making The 1:1 Diet accessible to customers around the world.
“I’m most excited about our relentless pursuit of innovation,” Christopher shared. “Our ongoing technological advancements are transforming our manufacturing capabilities and enhancing the experiences of our consultants and dieters alike. These advancements enable us to deliver cutting-edge solutions, elevating the quality of service and support we provide while ensuring our commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.”
From the May 2024 issue of Direct Selling News magazine.
