Farard Darver is the Founder and CEO of Healthcare International Research (HIR), the global health and wellbeing company behind the award-winning HEMPE brand.

​

Before entering business, Farard served for nearly 17 years as a British Army Officer across multiple units and roles, deploying on operations and exercises both in the UK and overseas, including two tours of Afghanistan.

 

Having reached the rank of Major and been identified for fast-track promotion to full Colonel, he chose instead to walk away; turning down further rank and security to commit fully to building Healthcare International Research and the products behind it. It was a decision rooted in conviction and accountability, and one that continues to shape how he leads.

​

Years of operational strain and injury culminated in a total hip replacement at the age of 43 and a growing concern around the normalised reliance on pharmaceutical pain management in high-performance environments. That experience prompted a more fundamental question: how do individuals and teams recover well enough to perform again, and again, without long-term cost?

​

Initially sceptical, Farard began investigating CBD as a natural alternative for inflammation and recovery. His approach was evidence-led, rigorous, and uncompromising on standards.

 

That work led to the founding of Healthcare International Research and the development of HEMPE; now the first CBD gel to achieve NSF Certified for Sport status, enabling use by professional athletes and military personnel.

​

Today, HIR operates internationally, supplying legally compliant products trusted in environments where recovery, availability, and compliance are non-negotiable.

 

Farard leads the business with a focus on longevity, trust, and repeat performance; values shaped by both military service and elite performance cultures.