Hotel Chocolat appoints new CFO
Jon Akehurst brings extensive experience across branded goods, manufacturing and international development
The british chocolate maker, Hotel Chocolat Group, has announced the appointment of Jon Akehurst as its new chief financial officer and as an executive board director, effective from May 2023.
The appointment follows CFO Matt Prichard’s departure from the role on 31 January after nine years with the company. It has been decided that the group’s co-founder, Peter Harris, will hold the role of interim CFO until May.
As a chartered accountant, Akehurst’s career has included management and leadership roles with General Mills, Mars, Aggreko, and most recently, at Terumo Corporation’s Aortic Division where he was also chief financial officer.
He brings to his latest appointment extensive experience across branded goods, manufacturing and international development.
Angus Thirlwell, co-founder and CEO of Hotel Chocolat, said: “Jon joins at an exciting time for Hotel Chocolat. His skills will underpin our determination to get back to running a tight ship operating model, with EBITDA of over 20% in 2025 within our sights.”
