Malvernians are known for their risk-taking, integrity and ambition to forge their own paths, and Leila Francis Coleman exemplifies all three.
After leaving Malvern, Leila studied Sociology at the University of Exeter, drawn by curiosity rather than a fixed career plan. She moved to London after graduating and spent four years working in management consultancy, gaining valuable experience before deciding, at just 25, to strike out on her own. Drawing on a lifelong connection to the water – including a childhood spent sailing and a year of being homeschooled while sailing around the Caribbean with her family – Leila and her husband co-founded AquaPhysical in 2014. The business introduced a pioneering floating exercise mat designed specifically for fitness classes in pools. A viral Facebook video with 250 million views propelled the brand onto the global stage, and AquaPhysical is now used in health clubs and hotels across 60 countries, with ‘floatfit’ instructor training forming a core part of its offering.
In 2019, motivated by a desire to create everyday products with a positive environmental impact, Leila and her husband launched Naked Paper. What began as a single container of unbleached toilet paper, funded by their own savings and built through hands-on learning in branding, sales and fulfilment, has grown into one of the UK’s leading sustainable tissue brands. Naked Paper now supplies over 200,000 households, has sold more than 25 million loo rolls to date, and works with major partners including Ocado, Amazon, Glastonbury and the Eden Project. In 2025, Naked Paper’s mission was recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, the highest official UK honour for business excellence.
Leila looks back on her time at Malvern with huge affection and a firm belief that her learning journey at the College gave her the confidence to believe she could pursue ambitious ideas and see them through. The friendships she formed remain central to her life, and memories of running in the hills, playing hockey, watching cricket and taking on the Ladder race still stand out, alongside inspiring teachers such as her much-loved English teacher, Mr Mensforth.
Today, while focusing on growing Naked Paper’s presence across the UK and shifting perceptions around sustainability in everyday products, she continues to embrace personal challenges too, recently rediscovering her love of running and training for the Milan Marathon. Leila’s journey is a powerful example of how a Malvern education can inspire entrepreneurial spirit, resilience and a determination to make a meaningful difference.