John Steel

Cafédirect’s CEO, John Steel, is a business leader and social entrepreneur with a passion for making business a force for good. 

Under John’s leadership Cafedirect has been transformed. Returning to consistent and accelerating growth, become profitable and yet maintaining its sustainability commitments to its producers. 

John is determined that Cafédirect, as one of the UK’s pre-eminent Social Enterprises, plays a pivotal role in leading the change agenda. In 2018 Cafédirect became the 1st coffee company in the UK to be B Corp certified and was recognised as the Social Enterprise of the Year.

John Steel first pursued a career in marketing, with organisation such as Nestle and Weetabix. Subsequently John held leadership positions in both large corporations and start-up businesses. 

John is a passionate and genuine believer in the need for real change in the way business contributes to society and the wider world. He works tirelessly to share Cafédirect’s unique approach.