After a decade at Prolog, Sebastian Quistorff begins his next chapter

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Sebastian Quistorff hardly needs an introduction among Denmark’s coffee enthusiasts. As co-founder of Prolog, he helped shape one of the country’s most influential specialty coffee brands over the past decade, with a reach that extended well beyond Denmark’s borders. Earlier this year, he sold his stake in the company, closing a chapter that has defined much of his professional life.

A new one has already begun. Quistorff has joined Hagen as Director of Quality and Brand Experience. The Copenhagen-rooted coffee concept operates espresso bars in London and was founded by Danish entrepreneur Tim Schrøder.

Schrøder previously worked in investment banking and wealth management at Goldman Sachs in London from 2006 to 2011, a story for another time.

We spoke with Sebastian Quistorff about why Hagen felt like the right next step.

“I’m looking forward to testing myself on the international stage.”

Sebastian Quistorff

Sebastian, to start with the obvious. Ten years at Prolog, what do you take away from that time?

“First and foremost, gratitude: gratitude for the many great experiences, and for a journey I would never have wanted to be without. Being part of something that started from nothing and eventually grew into something with real influence, and seeing a team grow along the way.”

What have you been doing since?

“I’ve spent the time reflecting on the past ten years, what they have brought, and what I can take with me moving forward, both in terms of the skills I’ve gained along the way, and the direction I want to develop in.”

Director of Quality and Brand Experience

And now the next chapter has landed at Hagen. What was it about the project that attracted you?

“It’s going to be an incredibly exciting chapter. It shares the same mindset I’ve worked with before, and I’m looking forward to testing myself on an international stage. We have coffee bars in both London and Amsterdam, and it’s the scale that really attracts me, trying to bring specialty coffee to a wider audience without compromising on quality.”

What drives you right now, as you think about the next chapter?

“That I love the coffee industry, from the very beginning of the coffee plant in the fields, to roasting, and especially everything that surrounds the service industry. Having a place where guests come every day, and where your product can have an impact and even contribute to people’s quality of life.”

What will your role be at Hagen?

“The title is Director of Quality and Brand Experience, and it is deliberately quite broad. It’s about both the quality of what we serve, and the experience of walking into a Hagen, whether in London or Amsterdam. I’ll be working to further improve the quality in the cup, drawing on much of the experience I’ve built up over the years.”

“I’m inspired by the world of art and its dynamics”

What motivates you the most?

“To contribute to people’s quality of life, drawing on all the joy and energy I find inspiring. To be generous in the way I think about business.”

Which new industries or areas appeal to you?

“Beyond the service industry and everything it involves, I’m very inspired by the world of art and its dynamics.”

Who or what is inspiring you right now?

“I’m currently reading Bee Quest by the British biology professor Dave Goulson about bumblebees. His books are also driven by his joy, in this case for insects, and his passion is infectious in the way he writes. You almost automatically become more motivated and inspired to take better care of biodiversity, in both its small and large forms.”