The functional beverage market has witnessed remarkable growth as consumers increasingly seek products that deliver both refreshment and wellness benefits. At the forefront of this revolution stands OHMG Water, a family-led British company that has transformed the understanding of magnesium supplementation through innovative sparkling drinks. In this exclusive interview with The Executive Magazine, Co-Founder Georgina Walsh reveals how her unique background in environmental policy, combined with her family’s deep-rooted expertise in nutrition and health, led to the creation of Britain’s first magnesium-focused functional drinks brand.

Walsh’s journey from academic to entrepreneur reflects a broader shift in how modern businesses approach wellness and sustainability. Armed with an MSc in Global Environmental Change and Policy from Imperial College London and inspired by her father’s peer-reviewed research demonstrating significant mineral depletion in UK soils, she has built OHMG into a B Corp certified company now stocked across premium retailers including Waitrose, Whole Foods Market, and Planet Organic. Joined by a prestigious team including co-founders Stuart Walsh and Craig Falconer, her vision extends far beyond commercial success, positioning OHMG as both a solution to widespread magnesium deficiency and a movement promoting balance in an increasingly demanding world.

As co-founder of OHMG Water, you’ve pioneered a functional drinks brand focused on magnesium supplementation. What specific gap in the wellness market did you identify, and how has your family background in health and nutrition influenced your approach to developing the Triple MG blend? 

“Fundamental to all our efforts is the recognition of the general lack of Magnesium in the diets of the general population. This is the result of the poor dietary intake of green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds which is where magnesium is present in foods. Yet EFSA have stated through peer reviewed research that health claims for magnesium can be made for  hormonal health, reduction of tiredness and fatigue, contribution to normal psychological functions, maintenance of normal blood glucose concentrations, maintenance of normal blood pressure, protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage, maintenance of the normal function of the immune system, maintenance of normal blood pressure during pregnancy, resistance to mental stress, reduction of gastric acid levels, maintenance of normal fat metabolism and maintenance of normal muscle contraction. That’s quite a list of non-communicative potential ‘disease’ conditions.

“OHMG, as a functional, drinks brand intends not only to provide a physiological amount of magnesium to help prevent the occurrence of magnesium deficiency ‘disease’ conditions but also help educate the public in general of the importance of a good diet and appropriate lifestyle choices to maintaining their health and well-being. These ‘insights’ were part of my upbringing.

“TripleMg is our proprietary blend of three types of carefully selected Magnesium.  Being three of the most bioavailable and widely used forms of Magnesium and we chose Magnesium Citrate for it’s all-round support for topping up Magnesium levels and digestive support.  Magnesium Glycinate Promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, supports sleep quality, and helps with muscle tension. And Magnesium Malate which is great for muscle support and reducing fatigue.”

Your father’s peer-reviewed research revealed significant mineral depletion in UK soils since the 1940s. How has this scientific foundation shaped OHMG’s mission, and what challenges have you faced in educating consumers about magnesium’s role in over 300 biochemical processes?

“My father’s research demonstrated that over the 51 year period (1940 to 1991) of the 28 varieties of vegetables that were analysed there was a 24% loss of magnesium in vegetables. Assuming that vegetables were to form one of the major sources of dietary magnesium this is indeed a significant loss – which is generally not the case.  Added to this conundrum is the recognition that there are many lifestyle habits can contribute to magnesium deficiency over time, even in individuals who otherwise appear healthy. These include (obviously) 1. Poor diets high in processed foods, refined grains, and sugar with a lack of vegetables, nuts, legumes, and whole grains: 2. High alcohol consumption – as alcohol increases magnesium excretion through urine and can also damage the digestive system, impairing magnesium absorption. 3. It is recognised that chronic Stress, whether it be prolonged physical or emotional stress depletes magnesium by increasing cortisol and adrenaline, which can impact magnesium metabolism. 4. Excessive caffeine intake as high caffeine consumption (e.g., from coffee, energy drinks, or soda) may increase urinary excretion of magnesium. 5. Some medications can interfere with magnesium levels: for instance, Diuretics (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (e.g., omeprazole), Antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin), Birth control pills and oestrogen therapy 6. A high sugar intake – as sugar increases magnesium excretion through the kidneys, also high-fructose diets may interfere with absorption. 7. Heavy sweating and physical exertion can lead to loss of magnesium through sweat and urine. 8. Digestive disorders, with reference to conditions like IBS, Crohn’s disease, or celiac disease impair magnesium absorption from food. 9. Vitamin D helps regulate magnesium absorption. Deficiency in D can contribute to lower magnesium uptake.10. it is also important to note that large doses of calcium can compete with magnesium for absorption, especially if not balanced with adequate magnesium intake.

“Consequently, it is our contention that many of the non-communicable ‘disease’ conditions that currently afflict our society could be assisted with added magnesium in the form of OHMG drinks as well as the public being made more aware of how lifestyle choices could, ultimately, compromise their general health and ‘present’ as a chronic disease condition. The ‘challenge’ was started many years ago by many learned people – but their ‘message’ was not promoted correctly and criticised by interested parties. It took Jamie Oliver, a celebrity chef, in 2005 to bring to the wider public’s awareness the poor dietary start we were giving children. This also received a ‘backlash’ from certain critics. However, the awareness of the relationship between diet and health has gained ground since my fathers’s paper was published. We, at OHMG, feel that this is the right time to use the current social media ‘tools’ that are available to us now to ‘educate’ the public in general.”

What prompted you to undertake this journey of developing the regular magnesium supplement into a functional beverage? And what convinced you there was a market opportunity worth pursuing? 

“It’s been a far from easy journey, but one I feel passionate about and as mentioned previously all the ‘knowledge’ is there, the independence of the different social media platforms enables ‘our message’ to be promoted and we genuinely feel the public’s awareness and concern for their health is more evident now than it was in the past.”

Your educational background includes an MSc in Global Environmental Change and Policy from Imperial College London. How have these environmental credentials informed OHMG’s sustainability practices, particularly your choice of endlessly recyclable aluminium packaging?

“My MSc in Global Environmental Change and Policy from Imperial College London deeply shaped the way I view business – not just as a commercial venture, but as a force for positive environmental and social impact. At OHMG, sustainability isn’t an afterthought; it’s been built into the foundations of our brand from the very beginning.

“That’s why my husband and I made a deliberate choice to use endlessly recyclable aluminium cans for our drinks. Aluminium has one of the highest recycling rates globally and can be reused repeatedly without loss of quality – unlike plastic, which often degrades and ends up in landfills or oceans. For us, choosing aluminium was about aligning our packaging with circular economy principles and reducing our carbon footprint.

“My academic background helped me critically evaluate supply chain and lifecycle emissions, and it’s informed how we assess everything from sourcing to packaging and logistics. It’s also why we continue to challenge ourselves to do better – whether that’s through local production, natural ingredients, or our broader B Corp commitments.”

OHMG has secured placement in premium retailers like Waitrose, Whole Foods Market, Able and Cole and Planet Organic, with expansion into Spanish markets through Alcampo and possibly soon Carrefour. What has been your strategy for scaling internationally while maintaining your core values as a family-led business?

“Scaling OHMG internationally while staying true to our values as a family-led business has been a careful and considered process. From the start, we’ve prioritised partnerships with retailers who align with our ethos – whether that’s Waitrose, Able and Cole, Planet Organic, or Whole Foods Market – all of whom champion quality, wellness, and sustainability.

“Our strategy has always focused on leading with purpose. We’re not just selling a drink; we’re building a movement around balance and well-being, powered by magnesium. That’s resonated across borders, particularly in health-conscious markets like Spain, where we’ve recently launched with Alcampo and hopefully soon will also be on shelves in Carrefour.

“As business, we’ve been able to move with agility, but we’ve never compromised on the principles that matter to us: ethical sourcing, recyclable packaging, clean ingredients, and transparency. We personally oversee each new market entry, ensuring we’re not just expanding for the sake of growth, but growing in a way that reflects who we are – a family business committed to helping people feel better, naturally.”

You’ve mentioned that OHMG is “a movement for balance and calm in an increasingly chaotic world.” How does this philosophy extend beyond the product itself into your company culture, marketing approach, and relationship with consumers?

“At OHMG, “a movement for balance and calm in an increasingly chaotic world” isn’t just a slogan – it’s the lens through which we make every decision, from the way we develop our products to how we show up for our customers.

“Internally, it means fostering a company culture rooted in empathy, flexibility, and genuine care. We’re a family-led business, and we try to extend that sense of trust and support to everyone we work with. Our team knows that well-being isn’t just something we sell –  it’s something we live.

“In our marketing, we steer clear of fear-based messaging or overhyped wellness trends. Instead, we focus on calm, clarity, and confidence – offering magnesium as a science-backed solution to help people feel more in control of their mood and mental space.

“And in our relationship with consumers, we prioritise transparency and connection. Whether through social media, in-person events, or customer care, we take the time to listen. Many of our most loyal customers have been with us from day one, and that ongoing dialogue is central to who we are. OHMG is more than a drink- it’s a daily reminder to pause, recharge, and find balance in the midst of modern life.”

As a B Corp certified business, how do you balance commercial growth objectives with your commitment to sustainability? What specific metrics or practices are you most proud of in this regard?

“Balancing commercial growth with sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at OHMG. Becoming a B Corp wasn’t just a milestone – it was a reaffirmation of the values we’ve held since day one. It means we’re legally committed to considering people and the planet alongside profit, and that shapes every decision, from supplier selection to packaging and team culture.

“We’re incredibly proud to use endlessly recyclable aluminium cans – which require significantly less energy to recycle than to produce – and our cans are BPA-free and filled with natural spring water. We also prioritise local sourcing and production wherever possible to reduce our transport footprint.

“One of the metrics we’re most proud of is our low carbon intensity per unit – thanks to both our packaging and streamlined supply chain. But beyond numbers, it’s the everyday practices that make a difference: running an agile, family-led team that values well-being; reducing waste in production; and being transparent with our community about how we operate and where we’re heading.

“Ultimately, we believe that true sustainability and long-term business success go hand in hand – and our growth so far, both in the UK and internationally, shows that you don’t have to compromise your values to scale meaningfully.”

Each of your flavours appears thoughtfully crafted with specific functional benefits in mind. Could you explain your product development process, and how you decide on the blend of botanical extracts and natural flavourings?

“At OHMG, our product development process begins with a clear purpose: to create drinks that not only taste amazing but deliver real functional benefits – primarily around calm, focus, and mental well-being. Every flavour starts with magnesium at its core, but the magic comes from how we pair it with carefully chosen botanical extracts and natural flavourings.

“We look at the science behind specific botanicals – like ashwagandha for stress support and then explore how they can complement the magnesium in a meaningful and effective way. Our formulations are backed by nutritional insight, but we also involve sensory testing and feedback loops to make sure they resonate with our audience.

“We work with experienced formulators and flavour houses who help us strike the right balance – natural sweetness, functional efficacy, and refreshing taste. This summer, we are excited to launch our Pineapple & Grapefruit with Vitamin D –  a bold, tropical blend that feels energising and vibrant.

“Ultimately, every can is created with intention: a functional drink people genuinely look forward to – one that fits into their routine as a moment of calm in the chaos.”

Looking ahead to the next five years, how do you see the functional beverage market evolving, and what innovations or developments can we expect from OHMG as awareness of magnesium benefits continues to grow? 

“The functional beverage market is set to see exponential growth as consumers become more proactive about their mental and physical well-being. We’re witnessing a shift from reactive health fixes to everyday rituals that support long-term wellness – and beverages are playing a key role in that transformation.

“At OHMG, we believe magnesium will take centre stage in this evolution. As awareness grows around the crucial role magnesium plays in stress regulation, sleep quality, and cognitive function, we’re doubling down on innovation that delivers both efficacy and convenience. In the next five years, you can expect to see OHMG expanding beyond canned drinks into new formats like powders and on-the-go sachets – all designed to make magnesium supplementation a seamless part of daily life.

“We’ll also be investing in more tailored formulations – combining magnesium with complementary adaptogens, nootropics, and botanicals to target specific needs like focus, recovery, or relaxation. Sustainability will remain at the heart of everything we do, from our packaging choices to responsible sourcing of ingredients.

“Ultimately, our vision is to make magnesium as mainstream as vitamin C- and OHMG the go-to brand for modern wellness seekers looking to stay calm, balanced, and energised in an increasingly chaotic world.”