Fri 23rd Aug 2019 - Jason Cotta hired as new chief executive of Ole & Steen Jason Cotta hired as new chief executive of Ole & Steen: Jason Cotta has been hired as the new chief executive of Ole & Steen (Lagkagehuset in Denmark), as from Monday (26 August). He has broad experience of driving growth in the sector, most recently as managing director UK and Ireland for Costa Coffee. Chairman Henrik Brandt said: “Jesper Friis, the current chief executive of Ole & Steen (Lagkagehuset), informed us some time ago that he wanted to resign for personal reasons. During the past five years Ole & Steen (Lagkagehuset) has, under Jesper’s leadership, expanded significantly in Denmark to now operate 97 stores, successfully established Ole & Steen in London with 11 stores currently, and in the spring of 2019 opened its first site in New York with three stores now operational. On behalf of the board I would like to thank Jesper for his visionary and passionate leadership, his enormous energy, and his great contribution to creating a platform and an organisation for further expansion. At the same time, we look forward to welcoming Jason Cotta to Ole & Steen and its many talented and passionate employees. Jason, with his considerable industry experience and international profile, will be able to contribute significantly to the next stage of growth of the business with the further internationalisation of Ole & Steen.” The company stated: “Jason Cotta, who is English and a resident of London, has had a long and successful career guiding and operating strong concepts within the cafe and restaurant arena. Jason has been employed by Costa Coffee since 2010, most recently as managing director for UK and Ireland, a business with more than 1,500 company-owned and 1,000 franchise stores. Jason’s experience has also included the role as managing director for Costa Coffee internationally that operated through an international network of 750 company-owned and franchise stores. Jason has also held senior executive positions at Travelodge and TGI Friday’s.” Henrik Brandt added: “Jason Cotta has more than 20 years of extensive management experience with roll-out and operation of strong cafe and restaurant concepts in and outside the UK. This experience, as well as Jason’s constant focus on a high-quality customer experience and developing dedicated employees who help realise the customer experience, means Jason is the right chief executive to continue our ambitious plan to make Ole & Steen’s unique products and services available to even more consumers in and outside Denmark.” Cotta said: “I have followed the development of Ole & Steen with great interest over the past few years and not least its highly successful entry into the London market. I am deeply impressed by the unique market position Ole & Steen has established in such a short period of time. I see a strong concept based on very high-quality products and services with significant potential for further growth and expansion. I am really looking forward to meeting and collaborating with the management team and the many dedicated employees at Ole & Steen.”