About Us

Firebird is a small batch, specialty coffee roastery in the United Kingdom. We specialise in ethically sourcing coffees from farmers and cooperatives that are rebuilding their lives from the impacts of war or environmental disasters. We are on a mission to showcase great coffees and the stories of the amazing people behind them, whilst helping them to recover from violence and war.

Why conflict and coffee?

A quick look at a map of coffee producing countries, sometimes called the 'coffee belt', and you'll notice that many of the countries have been affected by conflict. That is not to say that there is a correlation between coffee and violence, but what is true is that too many coffee producers have been affected by war. Our experience shows us that the people who suffer the most in wars are the local communities whose lives, livelihoods and families are upended by violence inflicted on them by more powerful actors. We all want to help those victims of war, but as a consumer how do you know that the coffee you're buying is having a positive impact on coffee producing communities?

 

Our founder, Henry, is a veteran who left the Army after several operational tours to work in the international development sector, mostly in conflict zones or countries with poor governance. For the past six years, he has been working to help communities to become resilient to the impacts of conflict and to rebuild their lives and communities after war. By working directly in partnership with coffee producing communities and using an approach that prioritises transparency and ethical behaviour throughout the supply chain, Firebird gives you the confidence that the delicious cup of specialty coffee that you're brewing in the morning is having a positive impact on the lives of the producer. That's our commitment to you.

We are accountable to both our customers and to the coffee producers in our supply chain. That means that you can expect us to provide you with delicious coffee safe in the knowledge that we are treating our suppliers ethically.