Former Marks & Spencer, Boots and Starbucks executive Rhys Iley has joined Costa Coffee to head up the food-to-go brand’s retail and operations team.

Iley joined Costa, which has more than 14,500 stores across the country and retail partnerships with the likes of Sainsbury’s and the Co-op, this week as its new retail and operations director for the UK.

Iley has had a long career in UK retail, starting out as a store manager and buyer at Marks & Spencer in 1989.

He joined Boots as a regional manager in 2004 before being promoted to managing director of Boots Ireland in 2005 and chair of the board of its Norwegian business in 2009.

Iley joined global coffee giant Starbucks in 2011 and in five years with the business was appointed European vice-president of operations in 2016.

He has also worked at Patisserie Valerie and Mothercare.

Iley said: “This week is a special one! I am delighted beyond words to have joined Costa Coffee.

“This is a brand I have admired and respected for years. To get the opportunity to work for them in supporting our amazing teams across the UK and Ireland is such a privilege and honour.”

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