Our Story
We are a coffee company and family united by a love for great coffee and a desire to protect all it supports. Our journey began over conversations with small scale coffee producers in Kenya as we asked them about their experiences of Fairtrade. This opportunity was life changing and inspiring but also deeply emotive, displaying the deep seated issues in this global supply chain and showing us that the industry does not work for all those it serves and specifically, for those it relies upon.
North Star was founded to prove that an approach based on quality and impact can improve the viability of business models across the coffee supply chain. We have a vision of a more certain future for coffee, free from the volatility of the commodity market and resilient to the impacts of climate change. If you share our vision and love for great coffee, you too can take steps to safeguard its future!
Become a part of our North Star family, you can order from us online, visit the North Star Coffee Shop or try our beans in one of the amazing spaces run by our wholesale partners across the UK.
Meet the team
Roastery Team
Lilly
Lily joined us in July of 2021 and was quickly showing the dispatch team up with her speed and efficiency. Lily is also a freelance digital print designer in her spare time and lives with a domineering rabbit called Otis.
John
John is a North Star veteran, having worked in our coffee shop before coming to join us at the roastery. He likes things done properly, which comes in handy in his role as a trainer and a member of the dispatch team.
Grace
Grace joined us in June of 2022 as a member of the dispatch team, but quickly progressed onto the Roasting team. Coming from a brewing background, Grace got to grips with our roaster (Stainless Neil) in record time. Music, beer and dogs make Grace tick, making her the perfect fit for the roastery team.
Gemma
Gemma is the smiling face you will see out on deliveries. Whilst she isn’t packing or delivering our beautiful beans, you will find Gemma running her own greeting card business, walking her German-Shepherd , Holly, or attending various vintage fairs across the county.
Andrew
Andrew is the newest member of the dispatch team, joining us to help out with the increased orders over the Christmas period. Andrew came very highly recommended from our friends at ‘If’, where he was head Barista, meaning that he’s now responsible for keeping the roastery topped up with flat whites! When he’s not packing or delivering coffee across Leeds, Andrew can be found strumming his guitar or riding his mountain bike.
Cafe Team
Dom
Our glorious General Manager Dom is always whizzing around the place, looking after everyone as he goes. Originally from Bristol, he saw the light and moved to Leeds in February. He’s been a chef, a baker, a barista…He’s a true one man band, and Bristol can’t have him back!
Laura
One of our part time heroes. When she’s not charming the brunch go-ers of Leeds Dock and drinking endless cups of tea, she has her own illustration, glassware and jewellery business.
Henry
Henry moved from being full time graphic designer to pursue a career in coffee. Away from the tools, Henry likes bouldering, playing badminton, gaming, and chilling with his cat Jemima.
Nat
Front of house extrodinaire by day, incredible artist by night. Nat’s favourite drink is an oat milk mocha, but nothing compares to her deep obsession with penguins.
Nat G
Nat is another one of our part time heroes. She has a part time marketing business, but is a full time decaf oat flat white drinking North Star legend
Mero
Mero moved from a coffee shop in Hong Kong to work at North Star - that’s the kind of commitment we expect! She loves nothing more than drinking a pour-over after scuba diving!
Viktoriia
Viktoriia was a barista in Ukraine before joining North Star. She loves to drink oat chai lattes, read, bake and do yoga in her spare time.
Ben
Ben has infectious enthusiasm for everything coffee, and is often seen sipping batch filter. Originally from Barnsley, Ben likes to spend his days-off hiking and taking photographs.
Jay
Jay has been a chef with us since day dot, and is a true stalwart of the kitchen. When he’s not being a flat-white sipping expert egg scrambler, he likes to spend his free time cycling or hiking.
Joe
Another stalwart of the kitchen, Joe has been with us nearly since the beginning too. If Joe’s not cooking up a storm in the kitchen, he’s out and about exploring every corner of the UK.
Josh
An amazing recent addition to the chef team, Josh used to be a wild flower farmer. He loves motorcycling and his jazz and blues music.
Join our team!
Our business is open to all applicants regardless of race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or age. We are committed to building a diverse workspace where equal opportunities are accessible to all. For more information about careers at North Star please email hello@northstarroast.com
Our Philosophy on coffee
It is crucial for us to build solid relationships with individuals and companies who can help us ask the right questions, no matter how uncomfortable, and encourage us to challenge long established systems and ideas to truly regenerate the supply chain.