Hotel Chocolat has announced a strategic leadership change as UK managing director Lysa Hardy is promoted to CEO.
- The leadership transition follows Hotel Chocolat’s acquisition by confectionery giant Mars, valued at £534 million.
- Lysa Hardy succeeds co-founder Angus Thirlwell, who will assume the role of president of Hotel Chocolat.
- Under Hardy’s leadership, the retailer doubled its UK business and introduced the Velvetiser Hot Chocolate category.
- The company plans to expand its store portfolio with 20 new locations, enhancing its Velvetiser Café format.
Hotel Chocolat has announced a significant leadership change as Lysa Hardy, its former UK managing director and group marketing officer, steps into the chief executive role. This transition comes on the heels of the retailer’s acquisition by Mars, a major player in the confectionery sector, in a deal worth £534 million.
Hardy, who joined the company in 2018, is credited with doubling the size of Hotel Chocolat’s UK business over five years. Her leadership was instrumental in creating the popular Velvetiser Hot Chocolate category, a key growth area for the company.
Lysa Hardy’s promotion to CEO marks a new chapter for the brand, with co-founder Angus Thirlwell stepping aside to become president. This change is part of a broader strategy following the Mars takeover, which aims to leverage Hardy’s expertise in driving retail expansion and innovation.
In her new role, Hardy will lead Hotel Chocolat’s ambitious plan to roll out 20 new stores over the next 18 months. These stores will operate under a new concept designed to better showcase the retailer’s extensive range of chocolate offerings.
The expansion strategy also includes the innovative Velvetiser Café format. The first location recently opened, featuring a unique bakery and hot food offering that complements the brand’s existing chocolate products. This initiative is reflective of Hotel Chocolat’s commitment to enhancing customer experience and broadening its market presence under new ownership.
The appointment of Lysa Hardy as CEO signifies a strategic move for Hotel Chocolat as it embarks on an ambitious growth and expansion plan under Mars’ ownership.
