Hotel Chocolat has promoted its UK managing director and group marketing officer Lysa Hardy to the position of chief executive after the business was taken private by confectionery giant Mars at the end of last year.
Hardy, who joined the chocolatier in 2018, took over the role from co-founder Angus Thirlwell at the start of the month as he moves into the position of president of Hotel Chocolat.
She is credited with helping to double the size of the retailer’s UK business in five years and creating the Velvetiser Hot Chocolate category.
Hardy was a non-executive at Superdry until July this year, and previously held senior positions in Joules and Holland & Barrett.
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The reshuffle comes after Hotel Chocolat agreed a takeover by confectionery giant Mars in November last year in a deal that valued the business at £534m.
Under its new owner, the retailer has ramped up its store expansion efforts to include 20 stores over the next 18 months.
Head of customer marketing Amy Harman told Retail Gazette earlier this year the new stores will come under its new concept that better showcases the retailer’s extensive chocolate range.
The investment into its store estate saw Hotel Chocolat open its first bakery and hot food offer last month as part of the expansion of its Velvetiser Café format.
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