Gerry Ford (born 4 November 1957) is a London-based American businessman and the chief executive of Caffè Nero, the UK's third-largest coffee chain. In 2020 Ford said that he had spent 70% of his life in Europe,[1] and that this is where he developed a passion for and understanding of coffee and coffee houses.

Early life

Gerry Ford is the son of an American university Professor of Education. He accompanied his father on sabbaticals to European countries. He grew up in Silicon Valley.

Ford first attended Stanford University, where he studied Politics and International Relations.[2] As well as a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.[3]

Career

His first job was as a financial analyst for Hewlett-Packard. He cites Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard as role models.[4]

He came to work in the UK for Apax Partners, a private equity company, where he stayed for three years.[4] He co-founded Paladin Partners, an equity company, in 1991.[5]

Caffè Nero in Maida Vale

Caffè Nero

Caffè Nero had been established as an Italian coffee concept in South Kensington in 1990 by Ian Semp; the company with five central London branches was sold to Paladin in 1997.

Paladin Partners established Caffè Nero in 1997 in South Kensington, with five branches. At the time most people drank coffee from instant coffee bought in the supermarket. As of January 2024, Caffè Nero has over 1,000 branches in 11 countries.

In March 2001 the company joined the London Stock Exchange. He took the company off the stock exchange in 2007. The company's headquarters are in Covent Garden.

Personal life

Ford lives in Kensington. He is married to Amanda and has two sons.

References

  1. ↑ "Interview : Gerry Ford". World coffee portal (Allegra). 3 March 2020.
  2. ↑ "Business profile: Wake up and smell the coffee..." The Daily Telegraph.
  3. ↑ "Busy day for Fletcher entrepreneurs – Admissions Blog". 22 September 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Free from the daily grind". Evening Standard. August 24, 2003.
  5. ↑ "Caffe Nero founder Gerry Ford has chutzpah - you need it if want to take a European coffee chain to America". The Daily Telegraph.
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