Chair: Jane Aldridge
Jane is Managing Director (coffee) at Nestle UK&I, and brings extensive expertise in the coffee industry focused on the manufacturing sector. She has spent more than twenty-five years at Nestlé where she has led the development of the in home coffee category.
Jane’s experience in marketing and sales includes notable achievements, such as the launch of NESCAFÉ Azera and the co-development of the NESCAFÉ PLAN, which was one of the first stages in delivering responsibly sourced coffee. Jane’s professional journey has also taken her to the Czech Republic, where she gained valuable international experience. Currently, she leads the in-home coffee business for Nestlé in the UK & Ireland.
Jane became BCA Chair in March 2024.
Vice Chair: Elizabeth Langdon
Elizabeth took up the position of Vice Chair in March 2024, having already been involved at the BCA a member of the BCA’s Arbitration and Contracts committee and arbitrator.
Elizabeth has enjoyed a varied career in coffee gaining a broad perspective of both producing and consuming countries from export in Vietnam and SE Asia to importing specialty coffees in Australia, the UK and Europe. Throughout this time Elizabeth has had experience working on a diverse portfolio of projects from sustainability to marketing.
Since 2017 Elizabeth has worked at Equatorial Traders as a trader and marketing and communications manager.
Executive Director: Paul Rooke
Paul Rooke is our Executive Director and is responsible for managing and leading the Association, developing key relationships and representing the Association on policy, media, technical and sustainability issues.
An agricultural graduate, with a post-graduate qualification in law, Paul has 30 years’ experience in trade associations covering policy, technical and contractual issues.
From 2013-2019 has was the President of the EU trade body CELCAA, the European Liaison Committee for the Agricultural and Agri-food Trade. He is a former Chairman of DG Agri’s Civil Dialogue Group for International Aspects of Agriculture and served on both the EU’s High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Supply Chain and DG Trade’s Expert Group on EU Trade Agreements.
Media & Public Affairs Manager: Thomas de Freitas
Thomas de Freitas is the Media & Public Affairs Manager at the British Coffee Association. He is responsible for the BCA’s communications output, our press office, and engagement with policy-makers.
Thomas joined us following five years working at the UK Parliament, managing communications, campaigns, and strategy for an MP. He brings a deep knowledge of parliamentary and public affairs issues to the BCA.
Secretariat: Tracy Brown
Tracy Brown is Secretariat of the British Coffee Association and has been with us since 2008.
Tracy is the main contact for both the BCA’s Members and external contacts. She coordinates and organises Member networking events and training as well as running the administration of the Association.