Knoops, a UK-based premium drinking chocolate and specialty coffee chain, has strengthened its senior management team and Board of Directors by bringing in four experienced coffee industry experts.
Jo Brett, the former US President of Pret A Manger, has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer and will report to Knoops CEO William Gordon-Harris. Brett had a 22-year tenure at Pret A Manger, including nearly five years as US President. Subsequently, he served as CEO of Hotel Chocolat Saint Lucia and Senior Vice President of Starbucks at the Kuwait-based franchise behemoth Alshaya Group.
Knoops has also named Kai Hepworth, the former Operations Director of Mitchells & Butlers, as UK Managing Director. Hepworth will report to Brett. In addition to holding senior operations positions at pub group Marston’s and restaurant chain Bill’s, Hepworth has over four years of experience at Costa Coffee, where he was Operations Director for the UK North.
Furthermore, Andrew Gerrie, the co-founder of Lush and former chairman of Hotel Chocolat, is taking on the role of Chair of Knoops’ Board of Directors. He joined the company as a Non-Executive Director in January 2025. Martin Long, the former CEO of Game Group PLC, has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director. His extensive accountancy and e-commerce experience will enrich the chain’s Board, which already includes Pret A Manger co-founder Julian Metcalfe and former Sanctuary Spa CEO Alice Avis.
Gordon-Harris stated, “I’m extremely pleased to welcome this remarkable group of senior industry leaders to Knoops. They possess a wealth of experience in growing and managing diverse brands globally. Their decision to work at Knoops clearly indicates that Knoops is on the verge of rapid global expansion.”
Established by Jens Knoop in 2013, Knoops currently has 25 stores in the UK and one international outlet in Dubai, UAE.
In May 2024, when speaking to World Coffee Portal, Gordon-Harris mentioned that there is a viable market for Knoops to become a billion-dollar brand and have 3,000 stores worldwide. The premium brand anticipates having 40 stores in the UK and launching in the US and China by the end of 2025.
This premium drinking chocolate and specialty coffee chain, which has its own roastery in Woolwich, London, projects that its UK business’s annual revenues will reach £16 million ($19.6 million) for the 12 months ending 31 March 2025.
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