SHBs (That's Senior Head Barista!) - our MVPs

In 2024, we introduced the new regional role of Senior Head Barista to our coffee shop operations. Designed to support out shop teams with their personal development, to improve coffee quality across the board and provide insight and knowledge to help shape our offering, we now have four across our estate. Here they answer our questions so you can get to know them a bit better.

Located: West Midlands

My go-to coffee...

I have drunk an awful lot of coffee in the past few years, some really great ones and some not-so-great ones... I always find myself going back to the same things, at home I brew with an Origami brewer or a V60 and the coffee I use tends to be something very delicate or something with high sweetness and bright acidity. I am currently rotating through about 10 different coffees, 8 of which are Colombian. At the moment my of my favourites is an 'assisted fermentation' Pink Bourbon from Colombia with taste notes of jasmine and orange blossom. A really delicate coffee with a super light body, brewing this with an Origami brewer with Kalita wave filters really makes this coffee shine.

My favourite part of the local coffee scene...

One thing about living in Lincoln is that the coffee scene is relatively small. This may be seen as a bad thing to some people but to me I absolutely love it. When I teach classes in Lincoln I always feel like I am teaching people something they have never heard before, it always allows me to be super passionate and share my knowledge with people who otherwise would never have learnt about these things before! Slowly but surely the community is growing in Lincoln and I love to see all the events that are starting to pop up every year.

The best thing about my job...

It's hard to pick one but, one of the things I enjoy most about my job is having the opportunity to meet and work with so many talented people. Over the past year I have had the opportunity to work with some incredible baristas, and I always love how welcoming and passionate everyone has been. I have been given opportunities to do various different events and work in different areas of the country and I absolutely love it. Teaching at the barista schools in both Birmingham and Lincoln I have had the chance to meet so many passionate baristas with all sorts of experience and I will continue to enjoy this side of the job.

Located: North West

My go-to coffee...

An Asian high acidity filter coffee, either as a hand pour over or an AeroPress.

My favourite part of the local coffee scene...

Just how approachable and friendly the community is- everyone is willing to help each other!

The best thing about my job...

Training our teams, supporting their development and meeting new people!

Located: East Midlands

My go-to coffee...

I guess this is growing up, but it’s espresso… you’ve got nowhere to hide! I enjoy the complexities & textures of drinking espresso. My favourite that comes to mind is the Ombligon by Nestor Lasso.

My favourite part of the local coffee scene...

My favourite thing about the coffee community in Nottingham is how open everyone is to share knowledge and passion.

The best thing about my job...

My favourite thing about my job is seeing people progress & grow. That could be in the form of someone’s first time drinking speciality grade coffee and being able to identify something within coffee they couldn’t before, a true lightbulb moment! Someone pouring their first tulip/swan/rosetta/seahorse. Someone entering a coffee related competition for the first/second/third/fourth time after countless hours of practise and dedication. I’m just constantly reminded what amazing people I have the privilege of working with & their infectious passion towards the industry which, as an old(ish) dog, gives my cup of passion a consistent top up!

Located: Yorkshire

My go-to coffee...

A V60. I love trying experimental processes and trying something funky!

My favourite part of the local coffee scene...

The great thing about the coffee community in Leeds is how many niches there are, in a sense of what shops deliver. They’re all different and they all love and support what others do.

The best thing about my job...

Favourite thing about my job is watching the progress that people make and how excited they get when recognising the progress in themselves.