NEX-listed Sativa Investments, a vehicle investing in medicinal cannabis, has hired Chris Jones to launch wellness centres that will sell a range of cannabis-derived medical products in the UK.
Jones, who is a retail management professional, will spearhead the launch of its wellness centres, branded as Goodbody & Blunt.
These will feature drop-in cafes with in-house, or retail, purchases.
The roll-out will be funded from the company’s existing resources, including the proceeds of a share placing completed in October.
Jones most recently held the role of consultant sales director at a UK-based vaping company with 110 outlets. He has also consulted for Ziggicig in Northern Ireland.
Before that he has held roles at mobile phone providers including Nokia, where he was UK sales director, Dextra Mobile Accessories and Phones4U.
Geremy Thomas, founder and chief executive of Sativa, said: “Chris’s experience of growing businesses in these highly competitive markets, coupled with very strong retail and franchise operational knowledge, is an ideal fit for Sativa’s aggressive market development plans for its Goodbody & Blunt wellness centres.
“The model will be proofed with two to three retail outlets, then the company has the option to roll it out further or as a franchise.
“These stores will offer customers CBD wellness products including oils that you can add to beverages such as your coffee, balms, vapes and several other new in demand products. These stores will also constitute a key component for the company’s seed-to-consumer strategy.”
Earlier this month Sativa, which is NEX-listed, outlined its plans to become a first-mover seed-to-consumer business in the UK after pioneering the model in Canada.
The company has said its expansion plans will require at least £12m of funding.
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