Ep 02: Caffeinated Growth: Matt Spencer's Caffè Nero Journey

Sales Leader Secrets

Amanda Downs talks to special guest Matt Spencer, the Commercial Director at Caffè Nero and a pivotal figure in the organisation's remarkable growth from 300 to over 1000 stores. Matt takes us through his fascinating journey – from buying coffee at Sainsbury's to managing key supplier relationships and navigating leadership challenges at Caffe Nero. He shares invaluable insights on maintaining integrity, building trust, and the importance of alignment in achieving business objectives. Matt also discusses the complexities of the current retail landscape, discussing the impact of COVID and Brexit on the labour market and supply chain. Join us as Amanda and Matt reveal the core principles of leading with purpose. Don’t miss this episode packed with sales leadership secrets that are sure to inspire and educate.

Here are the Highlights:

03:36 Transiting from concessions to leadership.

09:54 Understanding your value to a business.

13:43 Coordinating suppliers for big businesses.

17:04 Starting anew, learning and reaching out.

19:41 Seeing customers enjoy the fruits of labour.

29:04 Avoid distractions, focus on the main thing.

30:24 Focus on people is key for leaders.

34:45 Seek shared endeavours with suppliers and buyers.

Join us each month between September and January for the Uspire webinar series “Build Your Commercial Leadership” and get valuable leadership frameworks and techniques to help you lead your team to sustainable revenue growth. Register here https://theuspiregroup.com/uspire-events/uspire-discover-build-your-commercial-leadership/

About Matt Spencer

Matt Spencer has been the Commercial Director at Caffè Nero since 2006 and in that time the business has grown to over 1,000 stores, operating 4 brands in 10 countries. Matt has spent his career in retail and hospitality, starting with the Arcadia Group through Planet Hollywood, Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Kwik Save before joining Caffè Nero and has led teams in Merchandising, Buying, Finance and Supply Chain.

His time at the Caffè Nero Group has been spent leading teams through periods of growth and great challenge, including the financial downturn of 2008 and COVID. Throughout these ups and downs, Matt has placed great stock on supplier relationships, looking for mutually beneficial outcomes and building trust.

Connect with Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattspencergb/

About Amanda Downs

Amanda Downs is Uspire's Director of Commercial Leadership and a commercial training and coaching expert. She has worked extensively in Europe, EMEA, the US, and Asia and is an accredited Insights Discovery practitioner.

She produces the popular Sales Growth Expert blog and is currently writing her first sales leadership book.

Connect with Amanda:

Website: theuspiregroup.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadowns2/

About The Uspire Partnership

Uspire challenge, energise and upskill leaders to set the stage for business transformation and commercial success. Members of the Uspire team are all industry professionals and have first-hand experience of the commercial challenges you face. We develop leadership skills and commercial capabilities; delivering profitable growth and a sustainable legacy of change.

Connect with Uspire:

Website: theuspiregroup.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uspire-ltd/