Leadership series: William Gordon-Harris

Our Leadership Series feature in-depth interviews with exceptional and inspiring industry leaders.

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with the executive leadership behind Knoops, William Gordon Harris.

Knoops was founded in 2013 by Jens Knoop in Rye, East Sussex. They are a luxury beverage brand that revolutionised chocolate drinking through a process called “Knoopology”. They offer highly customisable, barista-crafted menus based on precise percentage scales, ranging from smooth 28% white chocolate and single-origin milk chocolates to intense 100% extra dark blends.

We explore how a single craft chocolate and beverage shop in Rye transformed into an international brand with global ambitions. 

The conversation opens with the initial spark, discovering the original store as a customer and recognising the raw potential that inspired the early investment. 

From there, we delve into the bold vision of becoming "the next Starbucks" and what that level of scale actually looks like in practice, alongside the transition from Executive Chairman to CEO and the ongoing collaborative dynamic with the founder.

The discussion goes deep into the mechanics of high-growth business, covering how Knoops attracted top-tier industry veterans to an unproven concept and how an unconventional background shapes the way leadership assesses talent. 

We walk through the complex operational reality of executing a multi-market international rollout across the UAE, China, and the US all at once, while breaking down the essential first steps for hospitality brands eyeing multi-channel expansion. 

Finally, the interview tackles pressing industry themes, from building truly ethical, sustainable supply chains to company culture, and settles the truth behind the famous weekly all-company email detailing key decision-making.