Imelda Sumner Learmouth is the President of Cocovida Phils. Corporation, a Philippine company producing virgin coconut oil and coconut oil based soaps and beauty products.
After graduating from university in Manila, Mrs Learmouth spent several years working in the Middle East, where she ran an agency employing filipino staff to work in the UAE. After a spell in the UK, she returned to The Philippines in 2005, to set up her company.
Cocovida is heading an aid project in Eastern Samar, one of the poorest areas of The Philippines. The project has the aim of trying to bring employment and prosperity to an area of the country where both are sadly lacking. Having spent a lot of her life employing people who were living far away from their families, Mel Learmouth is now trying to make sure that there are opportunities for them to work in their own home towns. She has become one of the strongest advocates for job creation in the provinces of The Philippines.
Mel and her husband Steve, have four children, all boys; all of whom study in Manila.