The BCA appoints Jane Aldridge as association chair
Image: Pexels/Samer Daboul
The British Coffee Association (BCA) has confirmed the election of Jane Aldridge, managing director (Coffee) at Nestle UK&I, as the association’s new chair.
Aldridge brings extensive expertise in the coffee industry focused on the manufacturing sector. She has spent more than twenty-five years at Nestlé where she now leads the in-home coffee business for the UK & Ireland.
Aldridge’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 initiatives to deliver responsibly sourced coffee. Aldridge’s professional journey has also taken her to the Czech Republic, where she gained valuable international experience.
As BCA’s chair, Aldridge will use her experience to support the UK coffee industry at a critical juncture as the association deals with new regulatory requirements – including on deforestation, packaging and labelling – and work for improvements to the sustainability and environmental footprint of the industry. The UK Government continues to develop its approach to international trade, tariffs, and labour movement post-Brexit, and BCA will represent the sector as these areas evolve.
Research published by the BCA shows that the UK has a flourishing coffee industry – the nation drinks approximately 98 million cups of coffee every day, with the industry creating over 210,000 UK jobs. The BCA is the voice of the UK coffee industry.
Jane Aldridge, chair of the British Coffee Association, said, “I am truly delighted to be elected chair of the British Coffee Association and I’m keen to support the association’s mission – to represent, promote and support all aspects of the UK coffee trade and industry.
“I have had the privilege to work in this industry for over twenty-five years, and so this appointment is a proud moment for me. Directly and indirectly, I have been involved with the BCA since the 1990s, when of course our UK coffee industry looked very different and it is truly satisfying to see us in good shape today.
“We are the key platform through which businesses from every corner of the country can come together to collaborate and tackle those issues which are greater than any individual organisation. Businesses are rightly asking how we can be both commercially successful, as well as sustainable, something which the BCA has been exploring in-depth.
“It is the sense of community I feel that has kept me committed to the coffee industry over the past decade, and I’m passionate about bringing more diverse, independent, and dynamic businesses into the BCA. I’m really looking forward to a busy few years!”
Jane follows Dr Krisztina Szalai as chair, who moved on from the role to become secretary general of the Swiss Coffee Trade Association. Elizabeth Langdon, of Equatorial Traders, has joined the association as vice-chair.
