UCC Coffee UK & Ireland’s Managing Director, Elaine Swift, has been appointed Regional Director (North) for UCC Europe.
The appointment comes as UCC Europe restructures in to three distinct regions to create efficiency, utilise skills and provide a consistent brand and customer experience across all major European coffee markets.
Under the restructure, Swift will take on responsibility for all Northern European territories including Benelux and the Nordics, alongside Smit & Dorlas and the UK & Ireland businesses. The appointment is effective from 1 May 2019.
Swift will also continue with her previous responsibilities within the UK and will still sit on the UCC Europe Board of Directors alongside two other Regional Directors – Rafael Ocon, Regional Director (South) and Marco Giuoco, Regional Director (Central) – reporting to UCC Europe CEO Paul Molyneux. The local business structures of UCC Europe’s operating companies in UK & Ireland, France, Spain, Benelux, Netherlands and Switzerland remain unchanged.
Swift said, “This is an important step for the future of our business and reflects our ambition in the European market. Our new structure means we are fully aligned with our global customers, meaning we can provide a consistent brand and customer experience at scale. It also gives us the ability to harness the varied expertise, local knowledge and experience we have in our business to optimise our total coffee solution.
'Our market insight and industry-leading initiatives means our organisation is aligned with consumer expectations for consistency, quality and convenience. This will enable us to remain competitive and position us for future growth.”
Swift joined UCC Coffee UK & Ireland (formerly First Choice Coffee and United Coffee) in 1996, driving the business to become the leading Total Coffee Solution, working with leading international retailers and foodservice businesses. In 2018, UCC Coffee UK & Ireland rebranded and hit two major milestones: exceeding sales turnover of £100m and employing over 500 people.
UCC Europe was formed following the 2012 acquisition of United Coffee by UCC Holdings Ltd. The Japanese, independent coffee company is the seventh largest coffee roaster, responsible for over £2bn annual sales.
UCC Europe employs 1,400 people, across 8 companies and operates 10 manufacturing sites including its roastery in Dartford, Kent and Centre of Excellence in Valence, France – Europe’s largest producer of Nespresso-compatible capsules.