Neil lake costa

Source: Costa

Lake relocated from Australia where he was a senior executive with Coles superstore

Costa Coffee has promoted its retail and operations director, Neil Lake, to managing director of the UK and Ireland business.

Lake will take up the role on 1 July following the resignation of Jason Cotta, who is moving on to an as-yet-unannounced CEO position after eight years with the company.

The new MD started with the business in September 2018 after relocating from Australia where he was a senior executive with Coles superstore.

“I am delighted to have appointed Neil to the role of managing director, UK&I,” said Costa Coffee CEO Dominic Paul. “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.”

Lake will be responsible for more than 2,600 coffee shops and 8,000 Costa Express self-serve machines in the UK.

“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,” said Lake. “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.”