200 Degrees Coffee promotes Stephen Fern to Managing Director

200 Degrees Coffee has announced Stephen Fern as its new Managing Director as the Nottingham-based coffee roaster and café chain embarks on its next phase of growth. 

Fern, who has been Financial Director at 200 Degrees since 2019, takes on the role from co-owner and CEO of the business, Rob Darby, and will oversee the company’s operations, growth plans and teams alongside delivering customer experience.  

“I will continue to learn from co-owners Rob and his business partner Tom Vincent, while also building the culture and driving continuous improvements across the business. We have fantastic teams across 200 Degrees and my aim will be to help facilitate each and every employee in achieving their personal goals, that in turn will allow 200 Degrees to achieve our growth and community-focussed ambitions,” said Fern.  

Founded as a roastery in 2012 and opening its first coffee shop in 2014, 200 Degrees achieved steady growth in 2022, opening its 18th outlet in the UK and reaching the milestone of employing 200 staff. It has also expanded its barista school network, home subscription, e-commerce and wholesale channels.  

The business promotes that its coffee shops sell one million beverages every year in the UK.  

“Stephen has a deep understanding of 200 Degrees and has spent much time working in our shops and across all arms of the business. He has embedded himself not only in our operations but our culture too and is the right person to move into the managing director role, as we deliver our next stage of expansion,” said Rob Darby, CEO, 200 Degrees Coffee. 

Fern’s appointment follows several senior leadership additions at 200 Degrees over the last year, including a new a Head of People & Culture, Financial Controller, Head of Operations and a Digital Marketing Manager, as the business gears up for further growth in 2023.