Switch Espresso

Our team

At Switch Espresso we believe that our team is a family where we all support each other and our clients to succeed and exceed expectations.

We have spent over 30 years combined in the industry and we are happy to share our knowledge with you. We pride ourselves on being approachable, open to your goals and ideas and we are extremely enthusiastic about the coffee industry.

Hamish Evans : Managing Director

Hamish is the founder and vision-haver that brought us all together and built Switch up to what it is today. He’s a bit of a people person and has worked in hospo and coffee pretty much his whole life. He got a degree in Outdoor Education and while he never ended up being an alpine guide, that experience taught him the importance of sustainability and ‘thoughtfully-sourced’ product. So (after a wee stint as a builder) he bought a roaster and started Switch, with the idea of roasting top-quality, organic and ethical coffee right here in Christchurch.

As well as a coffee nut, Hamish is a bit of a dab hand at putting together a space where you can feel at home and enjoy a coffee. His eye is behind much of what you’ll see and experience at the famous Black Betty Café. Hamish loves to work with great people, great equipment and great coffee.

Jeremy Innes : Wholesale & Brand Manager

Jeremy joined the company in 2014, coming with many years’ experience in the coffee retail and wholesale industry. In those years prior to Switch Espresso, he was also the Head Roaster at Toasted Espresso in Auckland before returning to his hometown of Christchurch.

Once back in Christchurch, the chance to join Hamish and the team arose and he has never looked back while moving into the honourable craft of selling beans and building successful relationships with our customers and suppliers.

Outside of Switch, Jeremy enjoys tasting some of New Zealand’s great food and beverage scene, travelling and spending precious time with this wife and two kids at home……and of course tasting and enjoying great coffees from around the world.

E-mail: jeremy@switchespresso.co.nz
Phone: 022 555 2229

Libby Fraser : Roastery Supervisor

Libby has been in hospo for 18 years, and was once the manager at Switch Espresso’s famous Black Betty café. She left that job to go and spend three years living in Europe.

When she got back, Libby was “determined to get out of hospitality” but once we got wind she was in town we wanted her in the roastery, and it was a dream job she couldn’t walk away from.

Libby has made coffee professionally in New Zealand, Scotland and Germany. Other than smashing back the coffees, she likes to get active with the gym, walking and exploring. In her down-time she likes to crochet, colour, read, hang out with buddies and generally just be awesome. 

Chiara Iseppi - Barista Training/Roastery Assistant

Chiara is from the famous coffee nation of Italy.

Over the last ten years she has covered many roles in the hospitality industry, but creating tasty coffee is what she is passionate about.

Here at Switch Espresso, Chiara has the opportunity to pass on her passion for the art of making tasty, beautiful coffee to our valued customers.

Chiara is right into tennis and volleyball and often spends her free time cooking and of course eating ……yes pizza, pasta, gnocchi and many other Italian foods!

Viva la vita!

Email: chiara@switchespresso.co.nz

Alaskia Hansen - Sales and Support

Alaskia is the newest member of the Switch team, joining us in 2023. Alaskia has spent her entire working life in various roles across the hospitality sector, her most recent being the Manager of a cafe in Cromwell, Central Otago.

Alaskia believes that relationships are the most important things we have in this life, and she loves a challenge! In her spare time she likes to spend time with friends relaxing, enjoying good food and walking her Golden Retriever, Oakley. 

Email: alaskia@switchespresso.co.nz Phone: 022 111 2883

New team member : Is this you?

Are you keen to get involved in the coffee industry? Learn coffee roasting, cupping, barista skills and more as part of the Switch Espresso team. We’re a local Ōtautahi Christchurch business, proud to be working with amazing people from all kinds of backgrounds, and we’re always looking for talented people to join our crew.

Flick us an email on roaster@switchespresso.co.nz with your CV and a bit about you, and we’ll be in touch.