Knoops announces raft of senior appointments
Knoops has made a raft of appointments to its board and management team as it looks to accelerate UK and international expansion.
The chocolate drinks retailer has announced that Lush co-founder Andrew Gerrie (pictured right) is to become chair of the board after initially taking up the role of non-executive director back in January. Gerrie is a former chair of Hotel Chocolat.
Martin Long, former chief executive of Game Group, has been appointed as a non-executive director, joining Julian Metcalfe, co-founder of Pret A Manger and founder of Itsu, and Alice Avis, former chief executive and chair of the Sanctuary Spa Group, on the board.
In addition, Knoops has appointed Jo Brett as chief operating officer, reporting to chief executive William Gordon-Harris (pictured left). With 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Brett has held leadership roles including president of Pret A Manger US, chief executive of Hotel Chocolat Saint Lucia, and senior vice president of Starbucks Middle East and North Africa for the Alshaya Group.
Never Miss a Retail Update!Meanwhile, Kai Hepworth, previously operations director at Marston’s, Costa Coffee and Bill’s, has joined the business as managing director of the UK, reporting to Brett.
Gordon-Harris said: “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.”
