Cooks Coffee strengthens leadership team with two new non-executive directors

Madisons Coffee co-founder Gareth Lloyd-Jones brings leadership experience from the UK leisure, coffee and restaurant industries, while Gordon Robinson adds significant finance experience as Esquires Coffee owner drives growth in UK and Ireland outlets

Gareth Lloyd-Jones (left) and Gordon Robinson (right) | Photo credit: Cooks Coffee

Cooks Coffee Company has added hospitality and finance experts to its board with the appointment of Gareth Lloyd-Jones and Gordon Robinson as new non-executive directors.

Lloyd-Jones began his career at British clothing chain Tie Rack and in 1995 founded Madisons Coffee and grew the coffee group to 35 outlets before selling eight of his London Starbucks stores for £1.4 million ($1.8 million) in 2001 and the remaining 27 outlets to Out of Town Restaurants for £2.3 million ($2.9 million) in 2003.

Lloyd-Jones also founded and sold the Gourmet Holdings pub and restaurant group and currently co-manages the High Road Restaurant Group, which operates the Buenos Aires, Buenasado and Koh Thai Tapas restaurant chains in the UK.

Cooks Coffee said Robinson has extensive experience in financial brokerage, debt advisory and real estate finance from a 38-year banking career and will advise the company on investment projects and lending operations.

New Zealand-based Cooks Coffee currently operates 64 Esquires Coffee stores in the UK and a further 36 outlets in seven international markets. The coffee chain achieved 18% year-on-year sales growth in the 12 months ending 31 March 2024, reaching NZ$58.2 million (US$35.7 million), with UK sales up 21% to NZ$38.3 million (US$23.5 million).

Coffee chain Cooks Coffee aims to triple the number of its Esquires Coffee outlets in the UK and Ireland to reach 300 by 2034.

“Gareth Lloyd-Jones, renowned for his strategic development and leadership in the leisure, coffee and restaurant sectors, and Gordon Robinson, with his extensive experience in banking and property finance, bring a wealth of experience. Their expertise will enhance our capabilities as we execute our strategy and develop the business’s prospects,” said Keith Jackson, Executive Chairman of Cooks Coffee.

In a press release, Cooks Coffee added that the board appointments also reinforce the company’s aim to be “more UK-focused”.

Cooks Coffee completed its dual listing on the UK stock exchange in November 2022 and said late last year it was considering the possibility of moving its corporate office from Auckland to the UK. As part of a board reshuffle, New Zealand non-executive director Mike Hutcheson has resigned after more than 10 years on the board.