Hotel Chocolat has tapped up the general manager of Kind, which is owned by parent company Mars, to run its UK business, Retail Week can reveal.
Carrie Martin, who is currently the general manager for Europe, Middle East and Australia for Kind, will take on the new role of general manager UK at Hotel Chocolat from October 6, and will report in directly to the brand’s president Angus Thirlwell.
Martin will replace current chief executive Lysa Hardy, who is stepping down from the business after less than a year as chief executive.
Martin has spent her entire career working for Mars, having joined the business in 2000 as a sales manager. She has been the general manager of US-based healthy snack business Kind since 2021.
The moves comes as Hardy steps away from the business. In a message on LinkedIn, Hardy said that she was stepping away from the specialist retailer “with enormous pride and gratitude” for her more than 7 years with the brand.
“From chief marketing officer to chief executive, I’ve had the privilege of working with an exceptional team to turn ideas into action – velvetising the world by creating a premium drinking chocolate category, navigating the pandemic, elevating retail experience, piloting new formats, and welcoming more customers than ever to the brand.
“I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but even more of how we did it: with heart, ambition and kindness. I’ve always believed a brand is built from the inside out, and Hotel Chocolat is proof of that – the best of people, united in their passion for great chocolate. I can’t wait to cheer them on as the brand continues to thrive.”
Hardy joined the Hotel Chocolat business in September 2018, as UK managing director direct to consumer and group chief marketing officer. She was promoted to chief executive in September 2024, after founder and chief executive Angus Thirlwell took on the role of president and moved to the United States to be closer to its parent company Mars.
Hardy had previous stints with a number of brands, including with fashion retailer Joules and health and beauty business Holland & Barrett. Prior to working in retail, Hardy worked for T-Mobile and EE.
She has also held numerous non-executive positions with the likes of Superdry and Caversham Finance.
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