Meet the Team

Our team has grown a bit since we started back in 2002 when it was just Claire & Andy with a toddler in tow (that toddler is now at university and her younger brother is taller than both his parents!). As well as the team members shown here, we have a wonderful team of chocolatiers, packers and chocolate house team members who are all superstars, especially in these covid times.

Claire

Co-Founder

AKA: The Top Tipper

Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Arbequina & Sea Salt

Proudest Chococo moment: Winning the Dorset Food Hero award at the 2019 Dorset Food & Drink Awards in recognition of us championing all things Dorset since 2002

Most life changing event: Sailing around the world on yacht Commercial Union in the BT Global Challenge in 1996/7

Can Be Heard Saying: Cherub, top tip of the day, cool beans

Andy

Co-Founder

AKA: Mr Messy

Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Honeycombe!

Proudest Chococo moment: Opening our 4th Chocolate House in Horsham just weeks after extended the cafe of our Swanage Chocolate House

Most life changing event: Driving to Cape Town BC3 (Before Claire, Before Children, Before Chocolate)

 

Can Be Heard Saying: We are where we are

Chris V

Retail Analyst

AKA: The Spreadsheet King (& chief chocista)

Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Agave Honeycombe
Proudest Chococo moment: Seeing all four of our Chocolate Houses filled with lots of happy customers
Most life changing event: Travelling around the world for over a year.

Can Be Heard Saying: No Worries

Chris F

Operations Manager

AKA: Christof King of Operations
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: 65% Madagascar Mega Milk
Proudest Chococo moment: Building a great team of chocolatiers & packing folk who are excited about taking on new challenges
Most life changing event: Marrying Emma (see below) in 2019 and having our first baby in lockdown
Can Be Heard Saying: GRRREEEEEENN ARRMMYY!

Liv

Exeter Chocolate House Manager

AKA: The Most Energetic One
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Perfect Passion
Proudest Chococo moment: Winning Best Indie Retailer of the Year in the Food Mag reader awards in 2019
Most life changing event: I lived in Rome for a year & learnt a lot about myself when alone in a foreign country!
Can Be Heard Saying: Absofruitly!

Hayleigh

Horsham Chocolate House Manager

AKA: The Perky One
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Heavenly Honeycombe
Proudest Chococo moment: Being promoted to Store Manager.
Most life changing event: I love travelling but it has to be Venice - the views around the city are just amazing
Can Be Heard Saying: Perfect or That's lovely!

Dawn

Swanage Chocolate House Manager

AKA: The Always Positive One
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Totally Twisted Nose
Proudest Chococo moment: Being with Chococo in Swanage for 15 years!
Most life changing event: my 3 amazingly tall sons
Can Be Heard Saying: Right!

Lee

Winchester Chocolate House Manager

AKA: Mr Up for it
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Rhubarb & Vanilla
Proudest Chococo moment: Being given the chance to prove myself
Favourite Holiday Destination: New York New York

Can Be Heard Saying: Wow...I never realised chocolate could taste like that!

Rhianna

Marketing Design Executive

AKA: the smiley one
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Dorset Sea Salt Caramel
Proudest Chococo moment: Re-designing weather proof signage for the Exeter team's Christmas market chalet - it was needed!
Most life changing event: San Fransisco, especially the views of the amazing bay
Can Be Heard Saying: That's cute

Sabena

Digital & Marketing

AKA: The Creative Digital Queen
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Lemon Zing
Proudest Chococo moment: Building engagement on our social feeds, especially Instagram
Most life changing event: Buying a campervan & travelling around Europe
Can Be Heard Saying: That's not a problem

Phil

Retail Operations Manager

AKA: Give me a Challenge Man
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Lemon Zing or a cinnamon bun
Proudest Chococo moment: Helping the managers progress with their training
Most life changing event: the birth of my son Jackson
Can Be Heard Saying: I'll get it sorted

Jason

Finance Manager

AKA: The Numbers King
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Tutti Fruiti
Proudest Chococo moment: Automation of the daily cash sheets saving time & improving efficiency
Most life changing event: the birth of my first child
Can Be Heard Saying: How much?!

Emma F

Packing Team Leader (on maternity)

AKA: The Crisp Connoisseur
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Perfect Passion
Proudest Chococo moment: Making sure the products look beautiful in their packaging
Most life changing event: Having baby Grace in lockdown!
Can Be Heard Saying: Yay, crisp Friday!

Kev

Chocolate & Bakery Production Manager

AKA: Kevlar
Most Likely To Be Found Eating: Lemon Zing
Proudest Chococo moment: Successfully managing our chocolatiers & now also developing the Chococo bakery business
Most life changing event: Having Children
Can Be Heard Saying: Yo Yo!