Small Batch, the Brighton-based coffee shop operator and roaster, has appointed Colin Morrison as managing director.
Morrison joins from Glasgow-based coffee roaster Matthew Algie where he served as marketing director, having previously held similar roles at Tchibo Coffee International.
He will be tasked continuing with a strategic focus on growing wholesale operations and online coffee subscribers at the Stefan Allesch-Taylor-backed business.
Morrison said: “I’ve always been an admirer of the Small Batch brand and know it’s a real gem in the Brighton coffee scene. I’m so proud to join a team that cares so deeply about the quality of its coffee offer and I’m excited about the growth project ahead. We will proactively work on both creativity and quality and look forward to strengthening relationships with like-minded roasters and hospitality businesses- working collaboratively to keep our industry growing.”
Founded in 2006, Small Batch operates five coffee shops across Brighton & Hove.
The group recently introduced its range of specialty coffee via wholesale channels and is seeking to diversify its sales to online subscribers.
Small Batch launched its app in October 2022.
The brand is one of the last remaining pieces of Allesch-Taylor’s once sprawling Coffeesmiths Collective group.
The coffee shop group acquired numerous brands in 2019 including Tap Coffee, Bea’s of London, Filmore & Union, Taylor St Baristas, Baker & Spice, Nordic Bakery and Urban Tea Rooms, as well a string of single site independents.
It planned to bring “light touch economies of scale” to the coffee shops, while preserving the “strong individual identities” of sites regarded as “local institutions”.
However, the group entered liquidation in July 2020, although Small Batch was not affected.
Allesch-Taylor is a serial entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist and plc director, who has co-founded or invested in more than 50 companies across 15 countries over the past 25 years.
