Lysa Hardy is a senior business leader with a track record of transforming consumer brands, leading commercial growth, and building high-performing teams across retail, hospitality, and telecommunications. She is currently UK CEO of Caffè Nero, where she leads one of the country’s best-loved coffee brands through its next phase of growth and evolution.
Over a career spanning more than 25 years, Lysa has held a number of senior commercial and marketing leadership roles, working across the UK, Europe, North America, and South America. She is known for combining strategic clarity with a deeply human leadership style, creating environments where people, customers, and businesses can thrive.
Prior to joining Caffè Nero, Lysa spent seven years at Hotel Chocolat⁠, progressing through a series of executive roles including Chief Marketing Officer, Managing Director, Commercial and UK CEO. During her tenure she helped drive significant business growth, strengthen customer engagement, expand retail and digital capabilities, and establish new category opportunities, including the successful development of the premium drinking chocolate market.
Alongside her executive career, Lysa has served as a Non-Executive Director on UK boards and as Chair of a mental health charity. She is passionate about purposeful leadership, organisational culture, customer experience, and helping businesses unlock sustainable growth through people and brand.
Lysa lives in Hertfordshire with her husband Chris and is a proud mother of four children. Outside work, she enjoys travel, cooking, gardening, golf, and exploring the connections between wellbeing, leadership, and personal growth.