Gareth Bell

Building People, Brands & Better Coffee Experiences

London, England, United Kingdom

About

I’m a hands-on coffee professional with a calm, guest-first approach. Since 2019, I’ve led café operations, coached baristas toward SCA accreditation, and helped improve service, workflow, and quality for specialty coffee brands. My earlier experience in retail taught me how to build solid systems, support small teams, and keep the customer front of mind. I’ve worked with brands like Longboys, Joe Blake’s, The Roasting Shed, and Well Grounded, delivering practical training and operational support. I’m open to part-time, freelance, and mission-driven coffee roles where people and purpose matter as much as the product.

Experience

  • Associate Trainer (Freelance) at Well Grounded Jobs CIC
    Feb 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos

    Deliver hands-on barista coaching and sensory support to trainees preparing for SCA Foundation certification. ● Support student confidence, workflow, and machine knowledge ● Deliver short training blocks on espresso, milk, sensory and brewing ● Adapt approach for diverse learning styles and neurodiverse learners ● Clients include UBS, BaxterStorey, GAIL’s, and local community sites

  • Head of Operations at Longboys
    Mar 2023 - Nov 2023 · 9 mos

    Led FOH operations, people management, and quality systems across three high-volume London stores. ● Introduced structured cleaning protocols and bar workflows to improve service consistency and team accountability ● Created and launched new seasonal drink recipes, supporting menu development and upselling ● Rolled out Deputy app for improved team scheduling, time-off requests, and rota transparency ● Focused on improving communication and team morale post-management turnover through 1:1 meetings and clear internal updates ● Negotiated a packaging deal that reduced costs by 50% and secured £10k+ annually through franchised supply partnerships

  • Operations Manager at Joe Blake's
    Mar 2022 - Jan 2023 · 11 mos

    Managed day-to-day operations across multiple sites, focusing on bar flow, training, and guest experience. ● Rebuilt bar layout and service structure to reduce friction, improve speed, and increase drink consistency ● Designed and launched a loyalty programme now contributing to 20% of weekly turnover ● Created SOPs and a barista training guide to standardise onboarding and raise overall quality ● Introduced Too Good To Go partnership, helping reduce food waste by 18% while generating new footfall ● Worked closely with staff on morale, shift support, and customer service, helping teams stay motivated during growth

  • Operations Manager - Joe Blakes at Galeta Bakery
    Mar 2022 - Nov 2022 · 9 mos

  • Head of Retail & Espresso Bar Manager at The Roasting Shed
    Jun 2019 - Apr 2021 · 1 yr 11 mos

    Opened and managed the brand’s first café location, helping grow it to six-figure turnover within the first year. ● Oversaw daily operations, bar setup, customer service, and team support in a start-up environment ● Managed inventory, ordering, and prep for retail and wholesale customers ● Installed POS (Square), rota (Sling), and stock systems (Rekki) to improve ordering and forecasting ● Acted as first point of contact for wholesale partners, offering support with coffee equipment and service flow ● Introduced inclusive menu items (plant-based, GF) based on customer feedback and local trends