LONDON, UK – Costa Coffee has announced the appointment of Neil Lake as the new Managing Director of Costa Coffee UK&I. Neil, who joined Costa Coffee in September 2018 as Retail and Operations Director, relocated from Australia where he most recently worked as a Senior Executive for Coles Supermarket.
With a successful career spanning across retail operations, store development, merchandise and general management, Neil’s appointment follows the resignation of Jason Cotta.
Jason, who has worked for Costa Coffee for over eight years, across both the UK and global business, is leaving to take up a Chief Executive role and will finish at the end of June, with Neil starting his new role on 1st July.
Commenting on the announcement, Dominic Paul, CEO of Costa Coffee, said: “I am delighted to have appointed Neil to the role of Manging Director, UK&I. Neil brings with him extensive strategic and operational experience at a global level, with a strong track record of driving sustainable results.
Following our recent sale to The Coca Cola Company, this is an incredibly exciting time for Costa Coffee, especially within the UK&I where we are focused on unlocking a new phase of growth and further enhancing our customer experience. Neil is perfectly positioned to lead the UK&I team, leveraging his depth of retail experience and passion for Costa’s customers and team members.”
Commenting on his appointment, Neil Lake, said: “I am honoured to be taking on this role within the UK’s Favourite Coffee Shop and look forward to working alongside the whole UK&I team, including our corporate and franchise partners, suppliers and 16,000 plus passionate team members out in our stores. Costa Coffee is a growing global business and I am excited for the opportunity to work to simplify, invest and grow the UK&I market, focusing on our customer experience, teams, partners and channel innovation.”
Costa Coffee now has over 2,600 coffee shops in the UK and more than 1,300 plus shops in 32 overseas markets. There are also now more than 8,000 Costa Express self-serve machines in the UK.
