We Do Business Differently

Built to change business for the better

Cafédirect was created in 1991 to challenge the way coffee was bought and sold – and prove there was a better way to do business.

More than 30 years later, we’re still pushing for change.

We’re a social enterprise, which means creating positive impact isn’t something that sits alongside our business. It’s built into how our business works, how we make decisions and what we measure as success.

Purpose Built in

Our founding purpose is protected by an independent Guardian Share Company, helping ensure Cafédirect stays true to the principles it was created around.

Our Articles of Association reinforce that commitment, requiring us to consider the interests of all our stakeholders – not just short-term shareholder returns.

It means our purpose isn’t simply a promise. It’s part of how Cafédirect is governed.

Leading industry change

We’ve always believed businesses shouldn’t wait for change. They should help lead it.

In 1994, Cafédirect became the first coffee brand to carry the Fairtrade Mark in the UK. In 2004, producer representatives formally joined our Board. In 2018, we became the UK’s first B Corp certified coffee company.

And today, we’re the first UK-based company to follow through on our commitment to living incomes for coffee farmers, partnering with Fairtrade to ensure that the farmer cooperatives we source directly from are paid Living Income Reference Prices for the coffee we buy from them.

Our History

Meet Our Producer Directors

Cafédirect works directly with farmers, paying fairly and investing in farming that lasts.

Michael Montalván

Michael is General Manager of CAC La Prosperidad de Chirinos, a coffee cooperative in Peru, and represents coffee producers on the Cafédirect Board. Hear from Michael on how farmers’ voices shape decisions at Cafédirect

Silvia Herrera

Silvia is Finance & Marketing Lead at Unión de Ejidos y Comunidades San Fernando in Chiapas, Mexico, and represents coffee producers on the Cafédirect Board.