Jonathan Reed, CEO of Paddy & Scott’s, was a featured speaker at the 2025 Best Employers Awards Conference, where four inspiring CEOs shared their approaches to leadership. At the event, Paddy & Scott’s was recognised as the Best Hospitality and Retail Company, based on their outstanding culture and employee engagement scores, and they achieved a silver accreditation as a testament to their commitment to people. Speaking to an audience of business leaders, Jonathan shared how the company has built a strong, purpose-driven culture—proving that when a business aligns its values, people, and purpose, it doesn’t just succeed; it makes a real difference.

For Paddy & Scott’s, that difference is more than words — it’s something you can see and feel in action. Watch their story below.

When Jonathan was asked what makes their coffee special, his answer wasn’t about flavour notes, roast profiles or brewing techniques. It’s about people, purpose, and a belief that business can — and should — make the world better.

In the eight years since joining the company, Jonathan has helped shape Paddy & Scott’s into something much more than a coffee brand. It’s a movement built around impact, culture, and humanity.

Coffee with a Purpose

Jonathan’s approach to leadership isn’t just about creating a positive workplace—it’s about using the business itself as a force for good. That philosophy translates directly into the coffee Paddy & Scott’s serves: every decision, from sourcing beans to supporting communities, is guided by purpose and impact.

Paddy & Scott’s coffee doesn’t just fuel mornings; it fuels communities. Through their work with farming partners in Kenya and beyond, the brand has helped fund nearly one million school meals — each cup of coffee contributing directly to real change on the ground.

When Jonathan first visited the Ruger Primary School in Meru, Kenya, what he saw wasn’t poverty — it was potential. Children eager to learn, families working tirelessly, and communities that just needed fair opportunity. Instead of pouring money into certification schemes that weren’t reaching farmers, Paddy & Scott’s chose a different path: to work directly with local growers like George Muchomba, investing in infrastructure, education, and sustainability.

“We don’t just sell coffee,” says Jonathan. “We use coffee to help humanity flourish."

That commitment continues today — through initiatives like the Lunch Box Programme and new Dignity Packs that provide reusable sanitary products and menstrual health education for girls in neighbouring schools. The brand’s next step? Supporting self-sufficiency by helping schools grow their own crops — a move from short-term aid to long-term empowerment.

A Culture That Brews Brilliance

But what’s equally remarkable is how Paddy & Scott’s applies the same philosophy internally. Jonathan talks passionately about a concept he calls “unfair advantages” — the unique strengths that make each person shine.

Rather than forcing people into boxes, Paddy & Scott’s builds roles around peoples  strengths.

Take Rachel, who started as a barista. One social media  post led to her writing an Instagram caption that went viral — and revealed her hidden talent for storytelling. Today, she’s the company’s Chief Wordsmith, crafting everything from PR copy to award submissions.

Or Jessie, who returned from maternity leave seeking more purpose and flexibility. Now, she leads as Head of Purpose, ensuring the company’s global initiatives are real, measurable, and ethical.

And Becks — who joined to manage coffee shops — soon became “Head of Everything Else”, because that’s exactly what she does: keeping operations spinning seamlessly behind the scenes.

“Our job as employers,” Jonathan says, “is to build jobs that people love. If you can’t spend at least 60% of your time doing what you’re great at, something has to change.”

Leadership with Heart

Jonathan’s own story is one of transformation. After a decade commuting to London, he realised he wasn’t the role model he wanted to be for his children. He resigned, lost eleven stone in a year, and chose to live — and lead — with purpose.

That personal shift became the foundation for how he leads Paddy & Scott’s: with empathy, authenticity, and a relentless focus on why they do what they do.

When a multinational PLC tried to acquire the business, Jonathan and his business partner Zoe chose instead to buy it themselves — raising millions in just two weeks to protect its independence and values. The result? A thriving company that continues to grow without losing its soul.

Finding Ikigai Together

Jonathan often speaks about ikigai, the Japanese concept of life’s purpose — the intersection of what we love, what the world needs, what we’re good at, and what we can be paid for.

For him, and for Paddy & Scott’s, that purpose is crystal clear:
To use great coffee as a force for good.

And for Pure Resourcing Solutions, who share a belief in meaningful work and purposeful culture, Paddy & Scott’s stands as proof that when people are empowered to play to their strengths, extraordinary things happen — in business and beyond.

“If you find what drives you — and help others do the same — success isn’t just possible. It’s inevitable.”

Why It Matters

At a time when many businesses talk about purpose, Paddy & Scott’s are living it — every day, in every cup. Their story reminds us that the real difference between a good company and a great one isn’t profit margins or market share.
It’s people who care, leaders with courage, and a culture built on meaning.

If you would like to be part of the Best Employers community and build a culture that’s truly exceptional, register your interest for the 2027 programme today.

Pure Resourcing Solutions is a professional recruitment company—recruitment is our business. Founded in 2002, we are the leading recruitment specialist in the East of England. Our mission is simple: to connect talented people with the right opportunities and support the growth of organisations across our region.

We specialise in accountancy, human resources, technology, marketing, professional office, and supply chain and engineering roles. Careers are at the heart of everything we do, and we give back to the communities we work in by creating development opportunities, programmes for individuals and organisations, and by being a responsible business and employer.

In collaboration with eras, we created the Best Employers programme as the go-to initiative to understand and improve the employee experience. One of our key ESG initiatives, based on an employee engagement survey, Best Employers helps forward-thinking organisations achieve more through their people.

Contact Pure on 01223 209888 or email hello@prs.uk.com
Visit us at www.prs.uk.com