Costa appoints marketing director

Costa Coffee, the Whitbread-owned coffee shop chain, has appointed David Hutchinson as marketing director. He replaces John Rogers, who left the chain in April to take the same role at De Vere Hotels (MW April 29).

Hutchinson, who takes over next week, joins from Whitbread’s restaurant division where he was marketing director of Brewer’s Fayre and Brewsters. He will be responsible for expanding the 300-strong chain and developing its international profile.

The chain has also appointed Mark Kitson to the newly created role of brand channel and development manager. Kitson, who joins from the Laurel Pub Company, will be responsible for developing consistency across the brand’s franchise, wholesale and managed business.

Hutchinson is the third marketing director to be appointed at Costa Coffee in as many years. The chain has had trouble filling the post since the departure of Laurie Morgan in August 2001. She was replaced by former WH Smith marketer Chris Sedgwick, who was poached by BP after just over a year. His departure led to a marketing reshuffle at Whitbread which then appointed Rogers, the former marketing director at Marriott hotels, who left after a year (MW July 24, 2003).

Hutchinson has been replaced at Brewer’s Fayre and Brewsters by James Spragg, who joins from Scottish & Newcastle Retail, where he was marketing director for its pubs and bars business. The restaurant chain has also appointed Kevin Hydes to the new role of brand development and innovation marketing manager. He moves from sister restaurant brand Out & Out.