A round-up of senior appointments from across the global coffee industry, including new senior leaders for Starbucks in the UK and US, Global Coffee Co’s CEO announcement and a changing of the guard at New York’s Joe Coffeespin-off
Starbucks appoints new UK Managing Director
The US coffee chain has promoted Darren King to UK Managing Director, effective 18 May 2026, as it pursues an ambitious growth agenda in its largest EMEA market. We detail what the former UK Store Development Director’s in-tray looks like. Read More →
New CEO for New York’s Joe Coffee
More than two decades after launching the revered New York-based specialty coffee group Joe Coffee, Founder Jonathan Rubinstein is stepping down from his role as CEO. His successor is one of the specialty coffee group’s longest-serving employees. Read More →
CEO announced for KDP’s planned Global Coffee Co spin-off
Keurig Dr Pepper has announced that JDE Peet’s CEO Rafael Oliveira will become CEO for its planned Global Coffee Co business. The appointment follows the US beverage group’s $18bn acquisition of Amsterdam-based JDE Peet’s on 1 April 2026. Read More →
Ziggi’s Coffee bolsters management team with two high-profile executives
The Colorado-based operator has added drive-thru expertise and franchise leadership to its ranks in the form of Clutch Coffee Bar Founder Darren Spicer and former Duck Donuts CEO Betsy Hamm. Spicer joins Ziggi’s in a consultancy role, while Hamm has been appointed Fractional Chief Operating Officer. Read More →
Starbucks returns to Chipotle talent pool for new development chief
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol continues to seek comfort in the familiar after making another senior hire from his former company, Chipotle. Following in the footsteps of Global Chief Brand Officer Tressie Lieberman and Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams, Stephen Piacentini has joined the world’s largest coffee chain as Chief Coffeehouse Design and Development Officer. Read More →
