Knoops, a United Kingdom-based specialty drinking chocolate and coffee chain, has strengthened its leadership team with four senior appointments.
Former Pret A Manger US President Jo Brett has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer. Brett served as Pret A Manger US President for four and a half years before taking on the role of CEO at British chocolate company Hotel Chocolat and subsequently Senior Vice President of Starbucks in the Middle East and North Africa at Alshaya Group.
Additionally, Knoops has appointed hospitality veteran Kai Hepworth as UK Managing Director. Hepworth brings 30 years of hospitality management and operations experience, including serving as Costa Coffee‘s Operations Director – UK North for four years.
Andrew Gerrie, Co-Founder of UK cosmetic brand Lush, has been appointed Non-Executive Chair while former Game Group CEO Martin Long joins as Non-Executive Director.
Knoops CEO William Gordon-Harris says: “I’m delighted to welcome such an outstanding group of senior industry figures to Knoops. They bring with them vast experience of helping to grow and run brands of all kinds around the world. Their choice to work at Knoops should be taken as a clear signal that Knoops is set for high paced global growth.”
Founded in 2013 by Jens Knoop, the company operates 25 UK locations and has recently launched its first international location in Dubai as part of its global expansion.
