Cooks Coffee Company - Board Changes

10 July 2024

Cooks Coffee Company Limited

("Cooks Coffee," the "Company," or the "Group")

Board Changes

Cooks Coffee Company (NZX: CCC; AQUIS: COOK), the international coffee-focused café chain, that operates Esquires, the Organic Coffee Company in UK & Ireland, is pleased to announce the following Board changes.

Appointment of Non-Executive Directors

Gareth Lloyd-Jones

Gareth Lloyd-Jones will also join the Board as a Non-Executive Director. Mr. Lloyd-Jones is a seasoned professional with over 22 years of experience in the leisure sector. His career began with Tie Rack in 1985, where he quickly became the youngest franchisee and expanded his network to 14 Central London shops within a year. During his time at Tie Rack, he met city advisors who introduced him to Howard Schultz of Starbucks. He then co-purchased and rebranded two London coffee shops as Madisons Coffee, growing the business to 45 locations across the UK. Madisons Coffee was listed on the AIM stock market and included brands such as Richoux Coffee and Restaurants and Rendezvous Coffee shops, which sold to Starbucks Coffee and Out of Town Restaurants. Gareth then went onto build a chain of five gastro pubs and four individual restaurants, which were subsequently sold into the trade. Currently, he co-runs the High Road Restaurant Group, which operates nine Argentinian steakhouses and four Thai restaurants, supported by private equity investment.

Gordon Robinson

Gordon Robinson will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director. Mr. Robinson is a highly experienced consultant specialising in Debt Advisory and Finance Brokering, with a distinguished banking career spanning over 38 years. He has a very broad business-sectors coverage in Corporate Governance (within finance) including quality Retail and also Food & Beverage businesses.  He also has expertise in Real Estate Finance including both development and investment-led projects. Throughout his career, which began with NatWest Bank in the 1980s, he has held various senior positions, established successful lending operations, and led business development teams. His extensive background encompasses setting up and managing lending operations, serving on credit committees, and holding senior front-line Director roles with multiple lenders.

Non-Executive Director, Mike Hutcheson will resign from his role on the Board with immediate effect.

Keith Jackson, Executive Chairman of Cooks Coffee, commented: "As Cooks Coffee Company shifts towards a UK-centric focus, we are pleased to announce changes to our Board. Gordon Robinson, with his extensive banking and real estate finance background, and Gareth Lloyd-Jones, known for his strategic growth and leadership in the leisure, coffee and restaurant sectors, bring a wealth of experience. Their expertise will enhance our capabilities as we execute our strategy and advance the Company's prospects. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mike Hutcheson and extend our appreciation for his invaluable contributions. The Board remains confident in our ongoing strategy and outlook."

Additional information on Gareth Lloyd-Jones

Mr Lloyd-Jones holds nil shares in Cooks Coffee.

Mr Lloyd-Jones currently holds the following directorships:

·    Argentine Steakhouse (Bidco) Limited

·    Buenasado (Reading) Limited

·    High Road Restaurants Group Bidco Limited

·    The Thai Tapas Group Ltd

·    Koh (Uk) Limited

·    High Road Restaurants Group Holdco Limited

Additionally, he has held the following directorships in the past five years:

·    Ben's Pub Company Limited

Save as described above there are no other matters that are required to be disclosed under Rule 4.9 of the AQSE Growth Market Access Rulebook in relation to Mr Lloyd-Jones.

Additional information on Gordon Robinson

Mr Robinson holds nil shares in Cooks Coffee.

Mr Robinson currently holds the following directorships:

·    Vector Capital PLC

·    KCR Residential Reit PLC

·    Sterling Bapc Ltd

Save as described above there are no other matters that are required to be disclosed under Rule 4.9 of the AQSE Growth Market Access Rulebook in relation to Mr Robinson.

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