Ella Mills: The Visionary Behind the Plant-Based Revolution in the UK
Ella Mills, born Eleanor Laura Davan Mills (née Woodward) in May 1991 in Rugby, United Kingdom, is a celebrated British food writer, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate. Best known as the founder and brand director of Deliciously Ella, she has become a defining voice in the global plant-based movement. Through her dedication to natural eating and mindful living, Ella has inspired millions to embrace healthier lifestyles rooted in simplicity, sustainability, and authenticity.
At just thirty-four years old, she has successfully built a multi-million-pound enterprise that spans cookbooks, cafés, a lifestyle app, and a wide range of natural food products stocked in major UK retailers. Her influence extends beyond business — she has shaped a cultural shift in how Britons view food, wellness, and plant-based living.
Ella Mills Age
Ella Mills was born in May 1991, making her 34 years old in 2025. Despite her relatively young age, she has achieved immense success as a businesswoman, writer, and public figure. Her journey from a university student battling chronic illness to a global wellness entrepreneur serves as an inspiring story of resilience and self-belief.
Early Life and Family Background of Ella Mills
The Woodward and Sainsbury Lineage
Ella Mills was born into a distinguished British family. Her father, Shaun Woodward, is a former Labour Party politician who served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Her mother, Camilla Davan Sainsbury, is part of the well-known Sainsbury family, founders of the Sainsbury’s supermarket chain — one of the largest in the UK. This family background gave Ella early exposure to leadership, discipline, and philanthropy.
Growing up between Rugby School and later studying at the University of St Andrews, she was instilled with a sense of curiosity and creativity. Her education and upbringing in a dynamic, high-achieving household undoubtedly influenced her drive to innovate and create meaningful change through food and wellness.
Education and Early Interests
Academic Journey at the University of St Andrews
Ella attended Rugby School, one of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious independent schools, before enrolling at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where she earned a Master of Arts in History of Art between 2009 and 2013. While her formal education wasn’t directly related to food or nutrition, her studies developed her analytical and creative skills — qualities that would later prove crucial in brand building and storytelling.
A Life-Altering Illness and the Birth of a Mission
Turning Adversity into Opportunity
In 2011, while still at university, Ella was diagnosed with a rare illness affecting her autonomic nervous system. The condition impacted her heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, immune system, and energy levels, leaving her physically exhausted and emotionally drained. After trying numerous medical treatments without relief, she reached a turning point — determined to take her health into her own hands.
She began exploring the connection between nutrition, physical well-being, and mental health. What started as a personal experiment quickly evolved into a passion project. To document her recovery journey and culinary experiments, Ella launched a small food blog called Deliciously Ella.
The Rise of Deliciously Ella
From Blog to Global Brand
What began as a simple online diary in 2012 quickly became one of the UK’s most influential wellness platforms. Ella’s honest writing, vibrant photography, and easy-to-make plant-based recipes resonated deeply with a new generation seeking healthier lifestyles. Within a year, Deliciously Ella had amassed a large following — transforming from a personal recovery story into a movement.
By 2013, she officially registered The Mae Deli Limited, the company behind the Deliciously Ella brand. Named after her first café, The Mae Deli, the business grew rapidly under her leadership.
Business Expansion and Product Range
Over the past decade, Deliciously Ella has grown into a multi-channel lifestyle brand that includes:
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Five best-selling cookbooks, including Deliciously Ella, Every Day, With Friends, and Quick & Easy.
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A wellness app offering over 800 plant-based recipes, meditations, and workouts.
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A line of natural food products, such as cereals, oat bars, and energy balls, available in over 7,000 stores across the UK, including Tesco, Boots, Waitrose, and Costa Coffee.
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A central London café, promoting community dining around healthy, unprocessed food.
Her approach — to make plant-based living approachable, practical, and joyful — has transformed Deliciously Ella into a trusted household name.
Ella Mills’ Career Achievements and Experience
Founder and Brand Director of Deliciously Ella
As Founder and Brand Director, Ella has overseen every aspect of the company — from recipe development and product innovation to marketing and brand storytelling. She works closely with her husband and business partner, Matthew Mills, who serves as CEO of the company.
Their shared leadership philosophy centres on authenticity, transparency, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Together, they have nurtured Deliciously Ella into one of Britain’s leading wellness brands, known for ethical sourcing, sustainable production, and community engagement.
Awards and Recognition
Ella’s impact as a wellness entrepreneur has earned her and her husband several accolades, including the Ernst & Young Rising Star Award at the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in London. Her influence extends beyond business — she is regularly featured in British media, from The Guardian to BBC News and Vogue UK, as a voice for the modern plant-based movement.
Ella Mills’ Books and Writing Career
Bestselling Author and Thought Leader
Ella Mills has become one of the UK’s best-selling food writers. Her debut cookbook, Deliciously Ella, became the fastest-selling debut vegan cookbook in UK history. Her subsequent titles — Every Day, With Friends, Smoothies & Juices, The Plant-Based Cookbook, and Quick & Easy — have collectively sold millions of copies worldwide.
Each book reflects her central philosophy: food should be natural, colourful, and nourishing. Her tone is inclusive and empowering — rejecting the notion of “dieting” in favour of long-term, enjoyable wellness.
Personal Life of Ella Mills
Husband and Family
Ella married Matthew Mills in April 2016. Matthew, who serves as the CEO of Deliciously Ella, shares her passion for plant-based living and has played a vital role in expanding the brand’s business operations. Together, they embody the spirit of modern entrepreneurship — balancing business success with wellness and family life.
The couple are parents to two daughters — Skye Tessa Camilla Davan Mills and May Mills. Family remains at the heart of their values, influencing how they design their business around balance, compassion, and authenticity.
The Deliciously Ella Philosophy
A Simpler, Kinder Approach to Eating
The Deliciously Ella brand stands for more than just food — it represents a lifestyle rooted in mindfulness and sustainability. Ella believes that eating well doesn’t have to be restrictive or complicated; it’s about enjoying more natural, plant-based foods while respecting the planet.
Her slogan — “Helping you eat real food again, with more plants, more of the time” — summarises her inclusive, practical philosophy. Every product under the Deliciously Ella label is made with simple, kitchen-cupboard ingredients, reflecting her commitment to transparency and quality.
Legacy and Influence of Ella Mills
Changing How Britain Eats
Over a decade after she started her blog, Ella Mills remains one of the UK’s most influential voices in the health and wellness industry. She has inspired a generation to reconnect with food, proving that plant-based eating can be both delicious and accessible.
Her story — of turning illness into innovation, and personal challenge into global success — stands as a powerful example of resilience and purpose. From a small blog written in her kitchen to a business employing dozens of people and serving millions of customers, Ella’s journey reflects the evolution of wellness culture in the modern age.
Conclusion
Ella Mills is not just a food entrepreneur — she is a pioneer of mindful living. Her brand, Deliciously Ella, continues to lead the plant-based revolution by blending nutrition, sustainability, and genuine care for people and the planet. With a background rooted in creativity and resilience, Ella’s story is one of passion, persistence, and purpose.
At thirty-four, she has already transformed how an entire generation approaches food — and her influence is only just beginning.
