WatchHouse CEO: Before I did coffee, I designed aquariums for billionaires

Roland Horne, the CEO of coffee chain WatchHouse, discussed his diverse career path that began with knocking on doors for Avon cosmetics at the age of 13, followed by a stint at McDonald's. He then ventured into designing aquariums for celebrities, footballers, and billionaires under the company Aquarium Architecture. Horne's passion for hospitality began around 2011-12, when he was frustrated by the generic UK hospitality scene and sought to bring a more unique, boundary-pushing experience to the UK coffee culture. This led to the creation of WatchHouse in 2023.

Horne is a proud Londoner, born in Dublin and now living in London Bridge. He holds degrees in Economics and Politics (SOAS); Master’s in Economic History (LSE); and Executive MBA (Saïd Business School, Oxford). Among his talents, resilience, drive, and a love for fun stand out. Horne's favorite motto is to always be authentic.

The CEO enjoys various perks from his job, including travel and the opportunity to create unique spaces for people to enjoy. His favorite coffee order is a black pour-over in the morning, followed by an oat flat white in the afternoon. His preferred cocktail is a dry vodka martini, extra shaken, with a million olives. He cites The Other Hand by Chris Cleave, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Great Gatsby as his favorite books.

Horne's first job was knocking on doors for Avon, while his first role in business was founding Aquarium Architecture. He believes that seeing a wrong and feeling compelled to correct it marked the beginning of his career in hospitality. Horne is optimistic about the future, particularly in London, and believes that investment in people and places where people want to spend time is crucial for the city's success.