Welcoming new CEO Phil Restall as Jenny Willits steps down
Today we’re welcoming Phil Restall as the new CEO of Seven Miles Coffee Company (7MCC), with current CEO Jenny Willits stepping down after five successful years in the role.
Restall starts at 7MCC this week, while Willits officially leaves at the end of October. She will remain a consultant until January 2023 to aid the leadership transition as required.
Chairman of the Board and Liverpool Partners’ Jonathan Lim said: “It has been a privilege to work with Jenny. She has shown tremendous passion and commitment to the business and her role as CEO, and it was the transformation she delivered in Seven Miles that made it such an exciting opportunity for us to get behind. I’d like to thank Jenny on behalf of all of the team and the Board, for all that she has done for Seven Miles and for setting the business up for its inevitable future success.”
Willits has transformed the Seven Miles business since joining in 2017; she led its rebrand from Belaroma, implemented a growth and acquisition strategy, managed the acquisition by Liverpool Partners, added and built new capabilities and ultimately spearheaded a new structure under the Seven Miles Coffee Company.
On stepping down from 7MCC Willits said: “I always felt that when the change of ownership occurred that this would be the right time for me to hand over the reins, yet with agreement from the Board that I could only do so with the foundations and team in place. It still doesn’t take away from the fact that it is with a massively heavy heart that my time at Seven Miles is coming to a close. I have been so proud to be the leader of this incredible business, to be a part of establishing what is a very special and unique culture, driven by its incredible, kind, and courageous people – they are simply the best. It’s most certainly exciting times for the business and I look forward to watching all the future success.”
Incoming CEO Restall was most recently Managing Director of Global Travel Retail at Beam Suntory where he successfully led its 10-year strategic vision and path to recovery from the global impacts of COVID. During his career he has worked across multiple channels and consumer sectors both within ANZ and globally.
Restall brings passion for building teams, brands, and strong customer partnerships to the role, with a strong belief in people, culture and collaboration. On joining 7MCC he said: “I am truly honoured to be following in Jenny’s footsteps and the opportunity to continue to build upon the legacy she’s created in partnership with her amazing team. I’ve always loved coffee so I couldn’t be prouder to lead this business during its next and most important phase.”