Ueshima Coffee Company (UCC) has appointed Elaine Swift, formerly the Managing Director of UCC United Kingdom and Ireland, as the new Regional Director (North) for UCC Europe. UCC says the appointment comes as its European division restructures in to three distinct regions to create efficiency, utilise skills, and provide a consistent brand and customer experience across all major European coffee markets.
Under the restructure, Swift will take on responsibility for all Northern European territories including Benelux and the Nordics, alongside Smit & Dorlas and the UK and Ireland businesses. The appointment is effective from 1 May 2019.
Swift will continue to sit on the UCC Europe board of directors alongside two other Regional Directors – Rafael Ocon, Regional Director South and Marco Giuoco, Regional Director Central – reporting to UCC Europe CEO Paul Molyneux. The local business structures of UCC Europe’s operating companies in UK and Ireland, France, Spain, Benelux, Netherlands and Switzerland remain unchanged.
“This is an important step for the future of our business and reflects our ambition in the European market. Our new structure means we are fully aligned with our global customers, meaning we can provide a consistent brand and customer experience at scale,” Swift says. “It also gives us the ability to harness the varied expertise, local knowledge and experience we have in our business to optimise our total coffee solution. Our market insight and industry-leading initiatives means our organisation is aligned with consumer expectations for consistency, quality and convenience. This will enable us to remain competitive and position us for future growth.”
Swift joined UCC UK and Ireland (formerly First Choice Coffee and United Coffee) in 1996, working with leading international retailers and foodservice businesses to drive the brands. In 2018, UCC UK and Ireland rebranded and hit two major milestones: exceeding sales turnover of £100 million (US$131 million) and employing more than 500 people.
UCC Europe was formed following UCC Holdings’ 2012 acquisition of United Coffee. The Japanes independent coffee company is the world’s seventh largest coffee roaster, responsible for more than £2 billion (US$2.6 billion) annual sales.
UCC Europe employs 1400 people, across eight companies and operates 10 manufacturing sites.