Since my first flat white in Sydney in 2000 I have been completely hooked on coffee. Cutting my teeth in a small café under the Harbour Bridge with views of the Opera House was the best introduction to coffee anyone could ask for. On my return to the UK, I managed a coffee shop in my home town of Stratford-upon-Avon, before embarking on a successful career with a well known Italian brand of coffee.

Fast forward 13 years to 2015 and Wooden Hill Coffee Company Ltd (named after the expression “up the Wooden Hill to Bedfordshire”) is born….. a local, artisan coffee company with a focus on sustainability and customer care.

We source and roast Fairtrade, Direct Trade and Specialty coffee beans at our rural coffee barn located in Millbrook, near Ampthill in Bedfordshire.

Working solo for the first four years of Wooden Hill, I now find myself heading up a team of the most enthusiastic and passionate roasters/baristas and coffee enthusiasts you are ever likely to meet!

Please take the time out to come and visit us!

Hello, I'm Jack, Operations Manager at Wooden Hill. With over 10 years of global experience in the coffee industry, my journey began in Australia, where I discovered my passion for the art of coffee. From perfecting latte art in Canada to exploring coffee farms in South America, I've honed my skills across the spectrum of coffee culture.

Returning home, while working in a local coffee shop, I met Robin, the visionary behind Wooden Hill. I started out as ‘Jack the Pack’ Turned Roaster! Four years later, I'm proud to be part of the Wooden Hill team, where my passion for coffee has become a lifestyle. As Operations Manager, I ensure every cup of Wooden Hill coffee reflects our commitment to quality and excellence.

Starting in the winter of 2022, my time at Wooden Hill has been characterised by a breadth of contact with the many interworking facets of the business; from hand packing batches of coffee into our compostable bags to coordinating weekly orders and delivering our well informed complimentary barista training. It's a journey that's been as vibrant as it has been enriching.

I love what I do: coffee, for me, has become a place I can go to build connections whether it's popping in for a weekly delivery or joining people on their own journey as a barista.

I'm always far too keen to get talking about music and coffee machines, and if you ask for a recommendation you can expect me to rave about our delicately fruity Myanmar.

On my first visit to Wooden Hill in 2020, I could have never dreamed I'd have found a career just by popping out for a coffee.

Since then I've tried my hand at nearly everything available at our roastery, from packing tea bags for our cafe to packing kilos for our commercial customers. I found my niche in roasting, and took on the mantle of head roaster once Jack took on his responsibilities as operating officer. Since then I've loved every moment of the role, maintaining our blend and single origins, finding fresh, new, exciting coffees to roast and sell, keeping our gorgeous roaster in tip top condition, and spending my time inbetween roasts expanding my knowledge on all things bean. It's nothing short of a privilege to be a part of the team that makes Robins dream a reality.

I have been in and around cafe culture my whole life so when starting at Wooden Hill in 2022 I immediately took a shine to the front of house. I am always up for a chat about my favourite speciality coffee (it’s Uganda Kalingwe) and love a new project, whether it’s teaching our weekend staff the perfect tulip or organising a market for local businesses. I have a big passion for animals and the environment so am dedicated to advancing our sustainability and will never stop talking about Toby, my dog not the person.

I’m honestly just here for the W’zis treats really! 🙂