The premium drinking chocolate and specialty coffee chain has appointed former senior executives from Pret A Manger, Costa Coffee and Hotel Chocolat as it pushes ahead with planned international expansion
Former Pret A Manger US President Jo Brett (pictured) has been appointed Chief Operating Officer at Knoops | Photo credit: Knoops
UK-based premium drinking chocolate and specialty coffee chain Knoops has boosted its senior management team and Board of Directors with four seasoned coffee industry professionals.
Former Pret A Manger US President Jo Brett has been named Chief Operating Officer, reporting to Knoops CEO William Gordon-Harris. Brett spent 22 years with Pret A Manger, including nearly five as US President, before serving as CEO of Hotel Chocolat Saint Lucia and Senior Vice President of Starbucks at Kuwait-based franchise giant Alshaya Group.
Knoops has also appointed former Mitchells & Butlers Operations Director Kai Hepworth as UK Managing Director, reporting to Brett. Alongside senior operations roles at pub group Marston’s and restaurant chain Bill’s, Hepworth also has over four years’ experience at Costa Coffee, where he served as Operations Director – UK North.
Additionally, Lush co-founder and former Hotel Chocolat chairman Andrew Gerrie is stepping up to the role of Chair of Knoops’ Board of Directors having joined the company in January 2025 as a Non-Executive Director. Former Game Group PLC CEO Martin Long has also been appointed as a Non-Executive Director, bringing extensive accountancy and e-commerce experience to the chain’s Board, which also includes Pret A Manger co-founder Julian Metcalfe and former Sanctuary Spa CEO Alice Avis.
“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,” said Gordon-Harris.
Founded by Jens Knoop in 2013, Knoops currently operates 25 UK stores and a single international site in Dubai, UAE.
Speaking to World Coffee Portal in May 2024, Gordon-Harris said there is an addressable market for Knoops to become a billion-dollar brand and reach 3,000 stores globally. The premium business expects to reach 40 UK stores and launch in the US and China by the end of 2025.
The premium drinking chocolate and specialty coffee chain, which operates its own roastery in Woolwich, London, forecast annual revenues from its UK business will reach £16m ($19.6m) for the 12 months ending 31 March 2025.