From F1 to Flock leader
Golden Sheep Coffee began in the Stroud Valleys in 2018, when Michael — after more than 30 years as a composite laminator in F1 Motorsport — decided it was time for a new chapter. There are only so many carbon‑fibre race cars a man can build before he starts wondering what life looks like without resin fumes, endless nightshifts, and the occasional whiff of champagne drifting down the race bays.
He didn’t travel the world with the teams. He didn’t stand on podiums. He was the guy building the cars — quietly, precisely, obsessively — the way only motorsport people can. But after three decades of high‑pressure engineering, he wanted something more grounded. More human. More… caffeinated.
So he swapped carbon fibre for coffee beans, pit walls for the Stroud Valleys, and became the unlikely shepherd of a brand-new flock.
Why “Golden Sheep”?
Golden Sheep isn’t just a cute name (though let’s be honest — it is delightfully cute). It’s a nod to where we come from and the history woven into the Stroud Valleys.
Our brand pays homage to the Cotswold Lion — the historic local sheep breed known for its long, golden fleece. That fleece powered Stroud’s woollen and textile industry for centuries, shaping the landscape, the mills, and the communities around them. It’s a symbol of craftsmanship, heritage, and the kind of quiet, dependable hard work we admire.
So when Michael set out to build a coffee company rooted in honesty, warmth, and local character, the name practically chose itself.
Golden Sheep felt like home: grounded, friendly, a little quirky, and proudly connected to the place that shaped us. Plus, let’s be real — a golden sheep is far more fun to put on a coffee bag than a carbon‑fibre race car.
The Man Behind the Roaster
Michael approaches coffee the same way he approached motorsport:
with precision, curiosity, and a deep respect for the craft.
He builds relationships with customers and importers who share his values — fairness, traceability, long‑term sustainability — and chooses coffees for sweetness, character, and integrity. No jargon. No gatekeeping. No “notes of moonlit elderflower harvested by woodland sprites.”
His roasting style is intentionally medium. - Not burnt. Not beige.
Just balanced, sweet, and true to the bean — the kind of coffee you can serve proudly to anyone, from the casual drinker to the die‑hard enthusiast.
Our Ethos: Good Coffee, Good People, Good Energy
Golden Sheep Coffee is built on a simple belief that great coffee should feel honest, approachable, and genuinely good for everyone from farm to flock.
That means we don’t do pretentious, we don’t do snobbery, we don’t do “you’re brewing it wrong.”
We do good coffee, made by good humans, for good humans.
Ethically sourced
We’re not here to shout. We’re here to connect. To honour the farmers, the mornings, the moments. To bring you coffee that’s as thoughtful as it is bold.
Always paying better then fairtrade prices and investing in their communities.
Gently roasted
Golden Sheep Coffee is brewed with care, curiosity, and countryside soul.
All our coffee is medium roasted to hold in all the natural flavours and softness. No harsh bitterness associated with darker roasts.
Wrapped in warmth
No jargon. No shortcuts. Just golden standards, good company, and a bit of humour. Warming mugs across the countryside.
Where We Are Now
Today, Golden Sheep Coffee supplies cafés, farm shops, trailers, offices, and hospitality businesses across the region — all with the same local, responsive, “don’t panic, we’ve got you” energy we’re known for.
Michael and his trusty sidekick, Hector, roast every batch. He still tastes every coffee.
And he still believes that the best things in life are built slowly, carefully, and with a sense of humour.
From F1 to flock leader — it’s been an unexpected journey.
But then again, the best stories usually are.
