Exclusive – Starbucks EMEA promotes Darren King to UK managing director: Starbucks EMEA has promoted Darren King to UK managing director, effective from Monday, 18 May, Propel has learned. King currently leads store development for Starbucks UK and oversees the company’s licensing business in the market. He has worked for Starbucks since 2024 and brings more than 20 years of experience across hospitality and retail, with senior roles spanning business growth, operations and commercial leadership at Greene King, Stonegate Group and Punch Taverns. Since joining Starbucks, the company said he has been instrumental in shaping the UK’s store development and licensing strategy as the business enters its next phase of growth. He succeeds Alex Rayner, who will step down after nine years with the company but will remain with the business until Friday, 15 May to ensure a smooth transition. Starbucks said that during her tenure, Rayner led the UK business through a period of significant transformation, including navigating the covid-19 pandemic, while strengthening its position in the UK. She oversaw the expansion of the UK portfolio by more than 500 coffee houses in the last five years, led the acquisition and integration of large-scale UK franchisee 23.5 Degrees, and leaves the business with strong momentum across customer engagement, loyalty membership and beverage innovation. Duncan Moir, president Starbucks EMEA, said: “I am delighted to welcome Darren to the Starbucks EMEA leadership team as he takes on responsibility for our UK business, and I would also like to thank Alex for her outstanding leadership over the last nine years. Under Alex’s leadership, the UK has been strengthened as a key market within our global portfolio, and Darren is perfectly positioned to build on that foundation. He has already played a central role in shaping our new openings pipeline and will lead the market through its next phase of growth, as we look to open a further 500 coffee houses over the next five years and continue to evolve the customer experience.” Starbucks said in March that it plans to open another 500 UK stores by 2031.