THE co-founder of online banking giant Monzo quit to farm alpacas in the North-East earlier this year, with the farm now sharing adorable photos of sheared alpacas.
Paul Rippon, who was also and deputy chief executive at Monzo, said it was a privilege to co-found the bank in 2015 but he was now running a farm in Northumberland with his wife.
In a post published to his LinkedIn page, the executive said: “Why did I leave? Simple, to go and enjoy life.
“At 48 years young I’ve been working in financial services for 27 years and working away from home for the last eight years.
“Building a fast growing bank takes its toll and even reducing my ‘work hours’ didn’t reduce the cognitive and emotional overhead.”
He explained that wife Debbie has taken the lead in building a family business, Barnacre Alpacas, and he is ready to get more involved.
Mr Rippon added: “With no farming background or experience we now have over 300 alpacas and welcome many visitors to our farm and holiday cottages.
“For the next few weeks and months I’m going to enjoy some time with Debbie at our wonderful farm in Northumberland.
“You’ll find me doing the feed rounds, hosting alpaca walk ‘n’ talks and driving my tractor.”
Adorable pictures of alpacas, newborns and freshly-groomed animals have been shared on the farm's Twitter account.
Mr and Mrs Rippon are using the social media platform to share updates, with Olivellie the alpaca recently giving birth to her latest cria, Graupel, who is over a kilo heavier than her previous two sons.
Graupel is said to mean 'soft hail' as it was hailing outside when he was born. The farm also shared an adorable video of his first steps.
Anyone following Barnacre Alpacas will also see snaps of gorgeous sunsets over the North-East countryside, halter training with alpacas Alban, Charlton, Chalkydri and Husker Du, and a host of other pictures with freshly-groomed animals.
Here is some of our favourite content from the farm:
When you’ve been tucked up inside mum for just under 11 months it’s hard work finding your feet. pic.twitter.com/eV74iQcBJj
— Barnacre Alpacas (@BarnacreAlpacas) April 11, 2021
Olivellie is looking very proud of her little man. He’s over a kilo heavier than her previous two sons. pic.twitter.com/iFkq5V1dpW
— Barnacre Alpacas (@BarnacreAlpacas) April 12, 2021
Spot of halter training this morning Chalkydri and Husker Du. pic.twitter.com/BquQV14eqk
— Barnacre Alpacas (@BarnacreAlpacas) April 12, 2021
Nice huddle of young grey girls waiting their turn for a haircut. pic.twitter.com/4txUOO0QFW
— Barnacre Alpacas (@BarnacreAlpacas) April 8, 2021
Penumbra is clearly trying to get as much dust as possible into his fleece before it’s sheared off 🙈 pic.twitter.com/jwfEGcqOg6
— Barnacre Alpacas (@BarnacreAlpacas) April 7, 2021
Come on boys weigh day. pic.twitter.com/784jrhi4hR
— Barnacre Alpacas (@BarnacreAlpacas) April 3, 2021
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