187: Making the Difference: The True North Conversations | Oonagh Simms, The Marshmallowist

187: Making the Difference: The True North Conversations | Oonagh Simms, The Marshmallowist

From Change Makers: Leadership, Good Business, Ideas and Innovation by Seven Hills

November 27, 2025 · 22 min · Episode 187

About this episode

Oonagh Simms discusses her journey from chocolatier training in Paris to founding The Marshmallowist and redefining modern confectionery.

In this special series of Change Makers, host Michael Hayman meets the business owners delivering positive impact for their people, their communities and the northern economy: leaders driving growth in unexpected places and sectors, nurturing skills for the future, leveraging innovation strategies, investing in nature, and fostering inclusive social change. In this episode, Oonagh Simms, Founder of the Marshmallowist, shares how her story began training as a chocolatier in Paris. From a Portobello market stall to Harvey Nichols, Vogue and a move back to Leeds, she explains the craft and chemistry behind luxury marshmallows, working with her sister, and why flavour layering is redefining modern confectionery.

People in this episode

Host: Michael Hayman

Guest: Oonagh Simms

Topics covered

  • business impact
  • entrepreneurship
  • innovation
  • social change
  • confectionery
  • leadership

Keywords

  • marshmallows
  • chocolatier
  • flavour layering
  • entrepreneur
  • positive impact

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Marshmallowist, Harvey Nichols, Vogue

Places: Paris, Portobello, Leeds

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