Our story

We built the thing we couldn't find.

Vytal began with two people, the same frustration, and a stubborn belief that life after fifty deserves far better nutrition than the world was offering.

It started with a problem neither of us could solve.

David was in his fifties, busy with work and family, and his nutrition kept slipping. On the move, or at home with no time to cook properly, he simply couldn't find anything that supported him — and he knew that to hold off the muscle loss that quietly creeps in after fifty, he needed better protein, more often. He's the first to admit he's no gym bunny; just a normal bloke who wanted to feel better. He'd stand in front of the lunchtime choices — a meal deal, a sad desk salad with no time to eat it, the fast food he knew he shouldn't — and think: surely there's a better answer than this.

Jane knew that feeling too. A middle-aged, menopausal woman forever running for a train, she was tired of hunting for something — anything — that was tasty, healthy, and didn't leave her feeling guilty. Not chocolate, not an ultra-processed bar, not a soggy sandwich. As she put it: nutrition is critical, but the world simply wasn't offering what we need.

The difference was, Jane could do something about it. As a trained dietitian who had spent years developing nutritionally balanced foods, she understood exactly what bodies need as they age — and how to build it into food that people actually enjoy.

David and Jane met in 2020, while developing a new food range for seniors. They quickly realised they were chasing the same thing from two different directions — her clinical and manufacturing expertise, his instinct for bringing new brands to people who need them. That meeting ultimately gave birth to Merlin Brands — and to Vytal.

Vytal is the result: honest, science-backed food built around the real biology of life over fifty. No miracle claims, no fine print — just the nutrition we wished we could buy ourselves.

Meet the founders

Two careers, one mission.

Co-founder · Trained Dietitian

Jane Stobie

A trained dietitian, Jane spent many years working clinically with the NHS — particularly in obesity, diabetes and elderly care. She went on to found and set up two food-manufacturing facilities, where developing nutritionally balanced foods for many different age groups was always the priority.

She has a successful reputation working with private-label and branded companies — notably Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury's and Ella's Kitchen — and developed and sold a leading brand into the NHS, specifically for the most senior demographics. Jane has a rare and unique ability to combine deep clinical knowledge with the craft of manufacturing technically specific, genuinely nutritious food.

Co-founder · Go-to-Market Specialist

David Burton

David has built a successful career as a go-to-market specialist, leading commercial teams in the UK and internationally to launch new brands and business models. David's expertise ranges from launching functional food products, like Yakult, to language learning and assessment technology.

A passionate health and nutrition enthusiast, David met Jane in 2020 during the development of a new food range for seniors — and that meeting ultimately gave birth to Merlin Brands.

We built the thing we couldn't find.

Two careers, one mission.

Jane Stobie

David Burton

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