The acquisition of Hotel Chocolat by Mars has instigated leadership changes.
- Lysa Hardy has been promoted to CEO, succeeding co-founder Angus Thirlwell.
- The transition follows a private takeover by Mars, valuing the business at £534 million.
- Under the new leadership, Hotel Chocolat aims to expand its UK store footprint.
- The new CEO is credited with previous significant growth and innovation within the company.
The recent acquisition of Hotel Chocolat by Mars has prompted strategic shifts in leadership. Lysa Hardy, previously the UK managing director and group marketing officer, stepped into the role of chief executive officer. This change came after the company was taken private by Mars at the end of the previous year, in a deal valuing the retailer at £534 million.
Angus Thirlwell, one of the co-founders of Hotel Chocolat, has transitioned to the role of president. Meanwhile, Hardy, who joined the company in 2018, brings to her new role a robust track record of success, notably doubling the UK business’s size over five years. Her role in the creation of the Velvetiser Hot Chocolate category exemplifies her capacity for innovation.
Hardy’s professional journey includes notable tenures in senior positions at companies such as Joules and Holland & Barrett. Until July of the current year, she was a non-executive director at Superdry. Her diverse experience across different sectors is expected to assist in advancing Hotel Chocolat’s strategic objectives.
In alignment with its new ownership, Hotel Chocolat has intensified its focus on expanding its retail presence. Plans are underway to increase the number of stores by 20 within the next 18 months. The expansion will incorporate a new concept that aims to better display the retailer’s diverse chocolate range, with the first bakery and hot food offering initiated last month.
The company’s head of customer marketing, Amy Harman, underscored the ambition of the store expansion, projecting that it would better present Hotel Chocolat’s extensive chocolate variety. These efforts mark a pivotal stage in the company’s growth trajectory under Hardy’s guidance.
The leadership transition at Hotel Chocolat signifies a critical phase in its evolution post-acquisition.
