Angus Thirlwell - Founder & Global CEO at Hotel Chocolat

​Angus will be joining ​us at Venice on March 18th at 6pm GMT/7pm CET.

​Angus Thirlwell is the visionary behind Hotel Chocolat, the premium British chocolatier that’s redefined the art of chocolate gifting and direct-to-consumer retail across the UK and beyond.

​From launching the business in 1993 with a mission to make chocolate exciting again, Angus has built Hotel Chocolat into a £200m+ brand with a cult following, a vertically integrated supply chain (including their own cacao farm in Saint Lucia), and a reputation for relentless innovation - from edible beauty products to luxury chocolate subscriptions.

​Angus’s journey is a masterclass in brand-building: from pioneering ethical sourcing (see their Gentle Farming) and experiential retail to navigating the challenges of scaling a luxury brand in a crowded market. He’s a rare founder-CEO who’s steered the business from startup to IPO and back to private ownership (acquired by Mars Inc in 2024 for £534 million), all while keeping the brand’s creative edge razor-sharp.

​This is your chance to go behind the scenes with one of Europe’s most respected consumer founders. Want to know how to build a brand that stands out, create products people obsess over, or lead through market turbulence? Bring your questions - this is a live, interactive Q&A for Venice members only.

​Got something specific for Angus? RSVP and submit your questions!