With a long and successful career built up through various roles in the FMCG sector, Carol Welch admits that a spark really went off when she moved from packaged goods into retail “and realised what she had been missing”. She has more than 20 years of experience in food and drink, having worked at PepsiCo, Cadbury and Associated British Foods before taking up her current role at Costa owner Whitbread. But a long time served in the food and drinks market does not mean she is happy to take the tried and tested route. Welch likes to seek out the innovative and was behind the launch of concept store ‘Costa Fresco’ in London at the end of last year, which was designed to showcase the chain’s range of handcrafted food and shake up the in-store experience. “I’ve worked in some great businesses with talented people and achieved much, but my biggest achievement will always be the one that is just around the corner,” she says.