The Esquires Coffee parent company highlighted Scott’s strong track record of successfully delivering cost-saving strategies as crucial to the coffee operator’s next stage of growth
The interior of Esquires Coffee in Colchester, Essex | Photo credit: Cooks Coffee
Cooks Coffee Company has added key financial strategy and cost management expertise to its management team with the appointment of Katherine Scott as Chief Financial Officer.
Scott joins the Esquires Coffee parent company from Australian real estate agency AHC Limited, where she served as Financial Controller. Over a 15-year career, Scott has also held roles as Finance Manager for real estate services firm Chestertons Global and Group Financial Accountant at London-based media group Immediate.
In a press release, Cooks Coffee said Scott brings exceptional leadership and a ‘commitment to driving value through strategic financial oversight and cost management initiatives’ to the role.
“We are excited to welcome Katherine Scott to the Board having returned to the UK after time in Australia. Her extensive expertise in financial management, alongside her proven leadership skills and experience in financial modelling and cost-saving strategies, will greatly benefit our company. Katherine’s commitment to excellence and her broad financial acumen will play a crucial role in driving our growth and enhancing value for our stakeholders,” said Keith Jackson, Executive Chairman, Cooks Coffee.
Cooks Coffee currently operates 67 Esquires Coffee stores in the UK, 17 in Ireland and 26 franchised sites across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Pakistan.
In June 2024, the New Zealand-based franchised café group unveiled plans to more than triple its Esquires Coffee footprint in the UK and Ireland over the next decade to reach 300 outlets.
Esquires Coffee achieved 36% year-on-year sales growth in the UK in the six months ended 29 September 2024 to reach £11.4m ($14.9m), with revenues in Ireland rising 6.7% to £5.1m ($6.6m).
In October 2023, Esquires Coffee became Cooks Coffee’s sole café chain after its 11-store Triple Two coffee chain was placed into voluntary administration.