Web activism: Coffee revolution

Whether or not Bobby Hashemi deserved to be given the boot as executive chairman of Coffee Republic, his departure should send shivers around the boardrooms of other small listed companies. The founder of the UK coffee shop chain is the victim of a shareholder revolt orchestrated via internet chatrooms - the first time retail investors have successfully ganged up to claim a high-profile executive scalp. Hashemi stood accused of not rolling out Coffee Republic’s new franchising strategy fast eno...