Date: 10 August 2026
Author: Jess Clark
Lloyd is a business leader with real substance. As a Director of FEO and CEO of Bio-D in Hull, he brings commercial experience and a grounded perspective that puts people and long-term development at the heart of what he does. He has also helped lead FEO 360 for 11 years, shaping a programme that has supported businesses to grow, reflect and improve.
What stands out most is that Lloyd does not treat leadership as something fixed or hierarchical. For him, it is about “motivating people”, “mentoring” and “making life easier for the team”. That practical, people-first approach helps explain why he remains such a valued voice within FEO.
Lloyd speaks with real conviction about the relationships built through FEO. Over time, he has developed a strong peer network and, more importantly, genuine friendships with people who understand “the pains and torments of running a business”. As he puts it, “Other friends often think we’re all millionaires, whereas FEO members understand the reality of what business ownership really involves."
He is clear that FEO is not just another business networking group. It is a place where trust is built naturally, conversations are honest, and members often end up working together because they know the character of the person behind the business. For Lloyd, “credibility builds naturally and that can lead to business in a way that feels far more genuine than hard selling.”
Lloyd is open about the fact that leadership is not just about title or visibility. He talks about the difference between being a technician, a manager and a leader, and describes himself as someone who was naturally analytical and inquisitive, but not always suited to the detail-heavy side of management.
He does not claim to have always had the answers. Instead, his focus is on learning how to motivate his team, coach people well and create the conditions for others to do their best work. In his view, “great leaders work for their team rather than vice versa”.
He also recognises the importance of stepping back from day-to-day operations to think strategically. For Lloyd, leadership is about shaping the future, developing the team, identifying gaps and keeping the business moving forward.
A major part of Lloyd’s contribution to FEO has been through the 360 programme, which he has helped manage for 11 years. He clearly values the way it continues to evolve, with new conversations, new challenges and new learning every year. He says he is proud that so many members have completed the programme.
That evolution is part of what keeps him engaged. He still gets something from the programme himself, not just as a contributor but as someone who continues to learn from it. The discussion has changed over time too - from traditional business themes to topics such as AI, people development and operational change.
He is particularly strong on the idea of reciprocal learning. Through FEO, he has spent time with businesses doing things exceptionally well in their own fields, whether that is production, management information or employee engagement. In return, he offers his own knowledge and experience. That “give and get” culture is one of the programme’s biggest strengths.
Lloyd is clear-eyed about the realities facing businesses today. He talks about rising costs, changing attitudes to entrepreneurship and the way AI is altering the shape of work. He does not present those changes with alarm, but with a pragmatic understanding that businesses now need to adapt quickly and think differently.
He also makes an important point about working from home. In his view, some people thrive in that environment and should be supported, but others miss out on the informal learning that happens by being around more experienced colleagues. That “osmosis” of knowledge - hearing how others solve problems, manage teams and make decisions - is something that will continue to matter.
As Lloyd sees it, “the small, informal moments help people grow”.
Bio-D was founded in 1989 by Michael Barwell after a startling realisation about the chemicals used in industrial and household cleaning products. Lloyd Atkin joined as the company’s first employee and has since become the driving force behind its growth, helping to expand the business while staying true to its original environmental ethos.
Bio-D provides the backdrop to Lloyd’s role, and it helps explain why his perspective carries weight. The company’s long-term growth, sustainability focus and manufacturing background all reflect a leader who has had to navigate change, scale and operational pressure.
Bio-D is one of only 29 businesses to win a King’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category.
Lloyd said of the achievement: “We are honoured and delighted to receive such a prestigious award. We’ve spent 35 years dedicating ourselves to sustainability and reducing our impact on our precious and fragile environment. So, it is wonderful to be recognised for our efforts.”
What makes Lloyd’s story compelling is that he does not present himself as a polished business celebrity. He comes across as practical, reflective and genuinely invested in helping others succeed. He values collaboration over status, learning over posturing and trust over transaction.
That is exactly why his voice feels so relevant to FEO. He represents the kind of leader who understands that business is not just about numbers or growth charts, but about people, relationships, resilience and curiosity. And after 11 years of shaping FEO 360, he is still helping create the kind of environment where others can grow faster, think better and do business more confidently.
To find out more about FEO 360, please click HERE.
Email:
info@forentrepreneursonly.co.uk
Address:
For Entrepreneurs Only Quarry House, Hesslewood Office Park, Hessle, East Yorkshire, HU130LH
