Mike Coppin

Mike Coppin is co-founder and director of Food Lover's Market, South Africa's largest privately-owned retailer. In 1993, he and his brother Brian Coppin launched their first Fruit & Veg City store in Access Park, Cape Town, converting an existing business called The Carrot King. Starting with just six employees, they personally painted and merchandised the store. Under their leadership, the business expanded from a single location to over 300 stores across South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, employing 17,000 people. The group encompasses multiple brands including Food Lover's Market, FreshStop (340+ locations), Seattle Coffee Company, and FVC International. In 2015, the company received a R760 million investment from Actis private equity. Mike is the son of a former Director of OK Bazaars retail chain, and the business remains family-owned with the next generation now involved in leadership.