Emma Colquhoun has announced her departure from Krispy Kreme in December 2024 after nearly seven years with the esteemed doughnut manufacturer. She will assume her new role at Wagamama starting next month.
Before joining Krispy Kreme in January 2018, Colquhoun accumulated over nine years of experience at Ferrero. There, she held various roles, including marketing director and ultimately, strategy and portfolio planning director.
At Wagamama, she will be responsible for overseeing the brand’s proposition, marketing, commercial engagements, and growth strategy. This includes the recently launched loyalty scheme. Additionally, she is expected to leverage her “significant expertise” in customer strategy, digital innovation, and business transformation, with the aim of cultivating a consumer-centric culture that fosters brand and business sustainability.
“I join Wagamama with a growth mindset and a can-do attitude,” stated Colquhoun.
“I’m truly passionate about people and customers, with a proven track record of driving business growth and developing the next generation of leaders.”
“There’s much more to come later this year on how we will be disrupting the market in the iconic Wagamama way, ensuring we stay top of mind for more people, more often.”
She confirmed her appointment in a LinkedIn post, adding: “For anyone that knows me, they know it is simply my mission to leave brands and businesses in a better place than I found them. So here’s to making Wagamama as relevant and successful for the next 30 years as it has been for the last 30+ years.”
Additionally, Wagamama’s CEO, Thomas Heier, remarked that Colquhoun’s appointment coincides with an exhilarating phase for the brand.
“We continue to build on the strong momentum of our brand both in the UK and internationally,” Heier commented.
“Her expertise in customer engagement and business transformation will be invaluable as we focus on our next chapter of growth.”
Currently, Wagamama operates over 160 restaurants across the UK. Recently, it announced the buyback of its US joint venture in September of last year. Owned by The Restaurant Group, Wagamama specializes in a variety of ‘Asian inspired’ Japanese dishes.