Cooks Coffee appoints new UK-based board members
Robinson also has expertise in real estate finance including both development and investment-led projects
Cooks Coffee Company, the international coffee-focused café chain, that operates Esquires, the Organic Coffee Company in UK and Ireland has appointed Gareth Lloyd-Jones and Gordon Robinson as non-executive directors.
The news comes after New Zealand based non-executive board member Mike Hutcheson resigned after more than 10 years on the board.
Lloyd-Jones joins Cooks Coffee with over 22 years of experience in the leisure sector. His career began with Tie Rack in 1985, where he quickly became the youngest franchisee and expanded his network to 14 Central London shops within a year.
During his time at Tie Rack, he met city advisors who introduced him to Howard Schultz of Starbucks. He then co-purchased and rebranded two London coffee shops as Madisons Coffee, growing the business to 45 locations across the UK.
Lloyd-Jones then went on to build a chain of five gastro pubs and four individual restaurants, which were subsequently sold into the trade. Currently, he co-runs the High Road Restaurant Group, which operates nine Argentinian steakhouses and four Thai restaurants, supported by private equity investment.
Meanwhile, Robinson is an experienced consultant specialising in Debt Advisory and Finance Brokering, with a banking career spanning over 38 years.
Robinson also has expertise in real estate finance including both development and investment-led projects.
Throughout his career, which began with NatWest Bank in the 1980s, he has held various senior positions, established successful lending operations, and led business development teams.
His extensive background encompasses setting up and managing lending operations, serving on credit committees, and holding senior front-line director roles with multiple lenders.
Keith Jackson, executive chairman of Cooks Coffee, said: “As Cooks Coffee Company shifts towards a more UK-centric focus, we are pleased to announce changes to our board.
“Gareth Lloyd-Jones, known for his strategic growth and leadership in the leisure, coffee and restaurant sectors, and Gordon Robinson, with his extensive banking and real estate finance background, bring a wealth of experience. Their expertise will enhance our capabilities as we execute our strategy and advance the company’s prospects. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mike Hutcheson and extend our appreciation for his invaluable contributions.”
