Specialist coffee roaster and wholesaler 200 Degrees Coffee has welcomed Will Kenney as commercial director.
Nottingham-born and now Leeds-based, Will brings with him 20 years of experience in the coffee sector, having held senior positions in the industry supporting some of the high streets best loved coffee operators.
At 200 Degrees, Will’s responsibilities include managing and driving all commercial aspects of the business, particularly its wholesale offer and the online sale of beans and coffee machines.
Nottingham-based 200 Degrees – which recently announced its 12th coffee shop which will open in Manchester next month – currently has 11 distinctive coffee shops in England and Wales and five barista schools, as well as wholesale, subscriptions and ecommerce.
With a focus on developing relationships with wholesale partners and harnessing new opportunities, such as the company’s recent investment in a 70kg Loring Smart Roaster - which will help the continued development of its coffee range, under the 200 Degrees brand, private label and bespoke blends – Will will be playing a key part of 200 Degrees’ growth strategy.
On his new position, Will said: “Since the first 200 Degrees coffee shop opened seven years ago, I have admired the company from afar - watching as it expanded from its Nottingham base to new locations, into wholesale and e-commerce markets and evolving into the much-loved household name that it is today.
“From an industry observer, to a member of the 200 Degrees family, it’s great to be joining a passionate bunch of people driven by a love of coffee and hospitality. They’re dedicated to ensuring good coffee is accessible far and wide through multiple channels.
“Be that in the coffee shops, through subscription services at home, its wholesale offering, or its famous barista schools – where the company’s expertise in all things coffee really serves to educate others – I’m delighted to be part of such a forward-thinking and authentic brand.
“I feel my experience complements 200 Degrees’ vision for growth and I’m looking forward to helping to share our knowledge of running successful coffee shops with our wholesale partners, working with the wider team to increase our reach and offer to customers - while staying true to 200 Degrees’ core values.”
Tom Vincent, director of 200 Degrees Coffee, said: “Will’s years in the industry are testament to his passion for coffee and his expertise make him the ideal fit for us, we’re really pleased to have him on board.
“He loves the product as much as we do, and his commercial understanding of the market makes him instrumental in steering 200 Degrees to new opportunities - to further enhance our customer experience.”
Set up by Tom and his business partner Rob Darby in 2012, 200 Degrees has its roast house near Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
The new Manchester coffee shop includes a barista school and will be opening in The Hybrid Building in Mosley Street at the end of May.