Key facts
- Roland Horne, CEO of WatchHouse, previously designed aquariums for billionaires.
- Horne studied economics and worked in the oil industry before starting an aquarium design business.
- He founded WatchHouse with the goal of creating authentic local brands with high attention to detail.
- Horne believes great leaders possess high emotional intelligence and build strong teams around them.
Roland Horne, the founder and CEO of WatchHouse, shared insights into his diverse career path, which predates his involvement in the coffee industry. Before establishing WatchHouse, Horne pursued economics and worked briefly in the oil sector. His entrepreneurial journey also included designing aquariums for wealthy clients.
Horne explained that his initial involvement with WatchHouse was as an investor, with plans for someone else to manage operations. However, when that person withdrew, Horne decided to lead the company himself. He was driven by a vision to create authentic local brands in the UK hospitality market, moving away from what he perceived as generic chain establishments.
He described his approach to business as less about rigid planning and more about identifying opportunities and building what is needed. Horne believes that WatchHouse stands out by fostering a sense of local heroism through authenticity and genuine connection, with baristas spending significant time engaging with customers.
Reflecting on leadership, Horne emphasized the importance of high emotional intelligence, drawing parallels to figures like Mark Zuckerberg who build strong teams. He also noted that challenging childhood experiences can shape individuals into effective leaders, a perspective he heard from someone in the investment community.