Comvita founder turns 101 today

Queens Service Medal winner, Philanthropist and founder of natural health and beauty products company, Comvita, Claude Stratford celebrates his 101st birthday today.

 Claude Stratford is an outstanding New Zealander who has led natural health innovation at the helm of a business that today turns over $82 million a year and exports to 14 countries around the world.

Claude founded Comvita in 1974, at the age of 64, by making and selling a range of bee products from the basement in his home in Paengaroa (Bay of Plenty). At the age of 95 he was a finalist in the national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

Claude owned his first beehive in 1921 at age 11 and his life-long affinity with bee products has contributed to numerous innovations in natural health science. Claude has spent his life bringing the health benefits offered by Nature to people in New Zealand and around the world.

Awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in 1999 for his service to the community, Claude continues to support philanthropic projects in New Zealand and overseas, through his charitable trust.

A scholarship in his name was established in association with the Institute for Innovation in Biotechnology at the University of Auckland last year, to celebrate Claude’s 100th. The scholarship is for a PhD student studying a topic related to natural health products.

Claude's values and the heritage of his commitment to product quality and purity is still the cornerstone of Comvita today, says CEO Brett Hewlett.

“Claude continues to be an inspiration to Comvita staff, all over the world.”

Claude’s 101st birthday was celebrated by staff today with a morning tea at the Comvita Visitor Centre.

Image attached: Comvita founder, Claude Stratford, 101 with co-founder, Alan Bougen.

 Comvita Founder, Claude Stratford’s Top 10 Tips for Living Well

- A tablespoon of bee pollen every day (Claude has been doing this since 1936 when he was 26)

- A daily teaspoon of Comvita Manuka honey and a dose of Comvita Olive Leaf Extract (15 ml), two Omega 3 capsules (fish oil) and a multivitamin tablet.

- Persistence and at times - dogged determination - "if at first you don't succeed then try, try, try again"!!

- A drive to help others is a strong motivator (a primary reason for developing Comvita was so Claude could help people).

- An unswerving belief in the power of nature to provide a source of healing for people. Claude has always preferred an holistic approach to health.

- Being prepared to dream big dreams and treat any setbacks along the way as merely challenges that can be overcome.

- Accepting people as they are and believing the best of them.

- Generosity of spirit.

- Faith and prayer.

- Read widely, keep up with the latest information about the things that interest you and have an open mind.

About Comvita Ltd. www.comvita.com

Comvita enjoys a reputation as a premium global natural health brand and is committed to the development of innovative natural health and wellbeing products backed by credible scientific research. With a proud 36-year heritage in therapeutic bee-based products, Comvita is the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of Manuka (Leptospermum) honey, however in more recent times the Company has developed its range of ingredient platforms, unique IP and products that meet global consumer preferences in natural health. Comvita has products in the categories of Healthcare, Personal Care (Skincare and Woundcare) and Functional Foods. The Company sells its products in over 14 countries with offices in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and the UK.