Andrew grew up in coffee growing countries including Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Burundi.

Andrew is an engineer and industrial designer and developed the concept for IKAWA while studying Industrial Design at the Royal College of Art in London. He’s dedicated years of toil to making IKAWA a reality.

As the team has grown, his “Kaizen” approach to design and manufacturing has helped not only to build hundreds of coffee roasters, but to harness, build and refine the skills of the workshop team.

Ben joined as Managing Director in 2015 and has overseen a period of strong growth since then, seeing IKAWA move to our current workshop, and the team growing from 4.

In return, IKAWA has helped Ben to become more cultured in coffee and he now possesses a decent grinder, espresso machine and aeropress. And a Home Coffee Roaster.

He has previously worked in senior management in the travel industry and founded start-ups in architecture, sports travel and tech, and has a fantastic ability to get excited about the big picture and managing the delivery.

Alex joined IKAWA to manage a short project – IKAWA’s Kickstarter Campaign for the IKAWA At Home system – but quickly realised the project really starts when the campaign finishes. He has enjoyed the ride of delivering our Home Coffee Roaster, as well as marketing the Sample Roaster and drinking some fantastic coffees along the way.

Before joining IKAWA, Alex worked for UK coffee brand Cafédirect and founded Espresso Mushroom Company, which he runs in his ‘spare time’. He was a finalist for IGD Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2014.

Bradley joined IKAWA in 2015 to head up our Sales and Business Development team and has the perfect niche combining his love of coffee with application of start-up business theory, particularly anything Seth Godin.

He is a qualified UKBC judge and in charge of keeping the team in good coffee. His choice of brewing equipment in the office reflects the growth we’ve achieved – moving from a 3-cup to 6-cup Chemex, through a Technovorm Moccamaster, and we now have two Wilfa Svart a Linea Mini and selection of V60 and Kalita filters. He’s doing a good job!

Daniel joins IKAWA with an impressive background in Operations, including time in senior management with McLaren Racing as well as Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains.

After growing up in Hamburg, he relocated to London in 1994 where he studied at Brunel University, and continues to live with his young family.

You might find him outside IKAWA on his cruiser board commuting to work or discovering the city’s pinball halls on the weekend!

Olly has spent most of his career in the hospitality industry, working for an infamous Portugese-African Chicken specialist managing international role-outs and spending time in the development labs! All with a focus on great customer experiences, Olly is the perfect addition to the team. Having grown up in Aberdeen, Olly moved to London 3 years ago enjoying the city life. Olly loves to cycle and recently ventured from John O’Groats to Land End. During Lockdown, he’s been doing a 20km lap of London each morning before work.

As an AST trainer, career coffee professional and by her own admission "obsessed with the science of coffee" Marzia is a real life walking coffee encyclopedia. When Marzia isn't trying new coffee tech, adjusting grind size and being fanatical about new coffee experiences you'll find her eating pizza, watching sci-fi movies and solving a Rubik's cube – and sometimes all at once!

Born in Jordan and raised in Dubai – Rena discovered speciality coffee when she tried her first vibrant, bright and complex Ethiopian V60. After that Rena, a trained chemical engineer, left the oil and gas industry to pursue her love of coffee and join the Pro sales team. Outside of work (and coffee shop hunting!), she enjoys sports including athletics ang gymnastics. Want to follow Rena’s coffee journey? Follow her instagram – @RenaBrews

Jacob joined IKAWA in 2021 from within the Speciality Coffee industry, having headed up wholesale at Atkinson’s for 5 years. You may have already met Jacob at Coffee Festivals around the UK in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester as well as attending International Shows and competitions as part of his coffee education. Jacob is currently working out of sunny Lancaster with his 10 “absolutely daft” chickens.

Ed is yet another IKAWA team member with an awesome user-to-employee story. With over a decade of coffee experience at UK roasteries including Origin, HasBean and Crankhouse, Ed has moved through the ranks from Production Assistant to Head of Coffee Operations and (almost) everything in-between. Outside of keeping customers happy for IKAWA you'll find Ed soaking up the latest NFL scores and catching the latest Marvel movies.

Before joining IKAWA, Sarah was a Design Engineer at Dyson and then designed Team GB’s Sailing Kit for Tokyo 2020 Games at Musto. She loves water sports, winter sports, and pretending I’m a serious cyclist on my Brompton. Her coffee journey really accelerated when her Swedish colleagues introduced her to Fika!

Rosie joins the IKAWA team from the roastery world, and the third on the “user-to-employee” journey. As an Operations Manager at Suffolk Roastery she was often at a cupping table full of IKAWA roasts. Her experience there, in addition to her natural affinity for marketing and her love of photography make her a welcome addition to the marketing team. Catch her playing high-level sports, chasing light, and demonstrating her mastery of the Aeropress outside the office.

Emily has over 20 years in the specialty coffee industry, 3 of which was spent with our neighbours, Climpson and Sons. She brings with her a career's worth of knowledge in all things coffee related. When not roasting, writing, brewing etc., she will inevitably have a craft beer or a pair of knitting needles in her hands.

Geoff first encountered IKAWA before most of us, meeting Rombout at SCAA about five years ago, and became an IKAWA customer this year in his previous role as Director of Coffee for DETOUR, one of Canada's top speciality roasters. “Coffee is a bit of a rabbit hole” Geoff told us when discussing quality coffee. It’s one he’s dived in deep, which is great because Geoff is in charge of educating our customers on the finer points of coffee.

Beyond coffee, you’ll find Geoff playing squash, exploring his new home city London, searching out the best ramen, and appreciating our relatively milder climate!"

Jess has a Degree in Culinary Arts Management and has worked around the world in Media and Hospitality, including co-founding The Clocktower Café in London before joining IKAWA.

She's progressed from Office Manager to Operations Manager, and now does her best to make things run like clockwork!

Born and raised in Ireland, Saoirse moved to London 3 years ago – managing coffee spots and heading up coffee at a number of well known venues across the City. Saorise’s background is in agricultural science, with a specific interest in forestry and coffee cultivation. Alongside her passion for electronic music and all that goes with it, Saorise enjoys all other art forms… Including latte art (obviously).

Ornella was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to London in early 2018. She studied and became an Accountant in Argentina and after moving to London, joined our Finance Team alongside Maria.

An avid traveller, Ornella is now soaking in the culture in Camden and slowly but surely coming around to our office coffee. She still favours her Grandmothers, who mixes and grinds two special types together, her secret recipe!

Kieran joined IKAWA as an experienced buyer, and now heads up the role with a wealth of knowledge in the electronics manufacturing industry as well as a BSc in Business Studies from Ulster University.  Having moved to London from Ireland just one day before starting with IKAWA, Kieran has quickly settled into his new surroundings alongside his trusty AeroPress. Outside the office Kieran loves to travel, gaming and is (by his own admission) a “huge foodie!”

Georgen initially joined IKAWA in 2016 when he was studying engineering. Now Production Manager, and when not helping out in R&D, George is a keen chef, making fresh meals and tasty baked at home. He even takes the time to forage and grow his own food! Now that's commitment.

Also, fun fact, George was part of the team that created the bike that holds the current human powered British land speed record! Zoooom

After moving to London in early 2021, Matt joined IKAWA from the Emerald Isle, and is operating as a Buyer. Joining IKAWA marked a significant switch up for Matt having previously trained in Law and Politics, and practising as a Paralegal in Dublin! Come the weekend, you’ll find Matt reading, hiking and swimming – but not all at once of course!

Born in New York and raised in London, Peter has always had a passion for food and drink. Before joining IKAWA Peter worked with PACT coffee and instantly fell in love with the coffee industry, forming a passion for V60 brewing. His eye for precision and detail serves him well on the line hand assembling roasters each day in his role of production assistant. Outside the workshop, Peter can be found track and road cycling. However since the introduction of Cally (his poodle puppy) Peter spends a lot more time on foot. Cally ought to have a profile of her own, but can regularly be found asleep upside-down in the workshop — or cuddling Ornella in finance!

Timo brings an impressive technical background with him to IKAWA. He studied Mechanical Engineering at London South Bank University and worked as a Production Technician making submarines!

Timo was born and raised in Jinja, Uganda (“the most beautiful part of Africa”) and brought with him a love for sports. Since he moved to the UK, he’s been part of the National Baseball League playing for the London Pirates!

After spending almost a decade in mechanical engineering producing voltage switchgear, Josh headed to the Canadian ski slopes before arriving with IKAWA in the coffee industry! He told us that being able to ‘send-it’ on the slopes and also building his own campervan was a key turning point to returning to the UK to continue his career as an industrial engineer. Outside IKAWA HQ, find him on the squash court, having a pop at drawing or attending gigs.

Camarey joins the IKAWA team from the Supply Chain and Logistics industry. Having spent the last three years at Unipart Rail, and before three years at Burberry in Supply Chain and Fulfillment. Qualified in both Supply Chain and Multi Modal Freight Procedures – Camarey brings a wealth of experience to the production team. Outside IKAWA HQ he runs a music company and spends most of his time training in MMA.