Press release -

COSTA COFFEE ANNOUNCES NEW UK&I MANAGING DIRECTOR

Costa Coffee has today 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.

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Founded in London by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971, Costa Coffee operates over 2,600+ coffee shops in the UK and more than 1,300+ in 32 international markets we are the fastest growing coffee shop business in the UK and are proud to be the UK’s favourite coffee shop, having been awarded “Best Branded Coffee Shop Chain in the UK and Ireland" by Allegra Strategies for nine years running (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018).

Making a positive contribution to the communities we are part of is extremely important to us, both here in the UK and across the world. That’s why we established The Costa Foundation, a registered charity with the aim of improving the life chances of children in coffee growing communities by helping them access a safe, quality education. So far, the Costa Foundation has funded over 80 school projects and changed the lives of more than 75,000 children. We also have a UK-wide Community Programme, which enables our teams to volunteer their time to good causes locally and to invite community groups to make use of our welcoming space in store.

In 2011 Costa Coffee purchased Coffee Nation rebranding it to Costa Express. Today, Costa Express operates over 8,500+ coffee bars in five international markets and proudly serves the same famous Mocha Italia blend found in stores, combined with fresh milk to create a delicious and warming cup of coffee on the go.