Coffee roasting and coffee shop chain, 200 Degrees Coffee has promoted Stephen Fern to managing director.
Having held the position of financial director with the coffee roaster since 2019, Stephen takes on the managing director role from co-owner and CEO of the business, Rob Darby.
The Nottingham-based roaster has experienced a continued period of growth across the business, and as managing director, Stephen will oversee the company’s operations, growth, team and customer experience.
200 Degrees marked a number of significant milestones last year, celebrating its 10th year in business, reaching 200 team members and opening its 18th coffee shop.
The roaster continues to expand its team in its shops, roast house and central team as well as driving forward its barista school network, home subscription, ecommerce and wholesale offering.
Stephen commented, “I am incredibly honoured to be trusted with this position, at a company with such a fantastic culture and ethos for delivering great products and services to our customers, as well as its support of not-for-profit, grass root causes.
“I will continue to learn from co-owners Rob and his business partner Tom Vincent, while also building the culture and driving continuous improvements across the business.
“We have fantastic teams across 200 Degrees and my aim will be to help facilitate each and every employee in achieving their personal goals, that in turn will allow 200 Degrees to achieve our growth and community-focussed ambitions.”
Rob Darby, CEO of 200 Degrees, noted, 'As we continue to expand the business, I want to ensure that we are doing everything we can to guarantee all employees at 200 Degrees and our customers, have the same great experience.
“Stephen has a deep understanding of 200 Degrees and has spent much time working in our shops and across all arms of the business. He has embedded himself not only in our operations but our culture too and is the right person to move into the managing director role, as we deliver our next stage of expansion.
“We couldn’t have found someone better suited both strategically and culturally, and I am hugely excited and proud to have such a great guy with so much passion in the role. Congrats Stephen.”
Rob and Tom founded 200 Degrees in 2012, after setting up its roastery on Meadow Lane, opposite Notts County Football Stadium. Since then, they have expanded its footprint across England and Wales.