T&CTJ’s 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference launches today

Tea & Coffee Trade Journal’s 2nd Annual Women in Tea & Coffee Conference opens today, 6 May 2026. The event takes place at The View in London.

The 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference (WiTCC) has the same goals as the inaugural event — offering women a chance to learn about opportunities in both the coffee and tea industries on the manufacturing/consuming side from women currently in key positions with major coffee and tea brands, allied service companies, and coffee and tea associations/organisations. However, since the United Nations has recognised this year as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, the 2026 WiTCC will highlight women in origin countries, both female producers and farm workers, addressing their struggles and their achievements, while continuing to spotlight incredible women working on the manufacturing side of the tea and coffee industries.

Dr Erika Valério, senior gender and agrifood systems expert at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) is the WiTCC’s overall keynote speaker; Zahra Afshar, head of legal, human rights and sustainability at Ahmad Tea, is the tea keynote speaker; and Kathrine Löfberg, chair of the board of Löfbergs, is the coffee keynote speaker.

New panel sessions this year include Women’s Evolving Roles in Tea & Coffee Agribusiness and Why Women are Pivotal to the Future of Coffee and Tea, which complement the returning session, Careers in Tea & Coffee. Panellists include Michele Arias, sustainability manager, UNEX Guatemala; Victoria Cordi, director of strategic partnerships, Rainforest Alliance; Lucy George, CEO, Petersons Tea; Rebekah Kettrick, coffee purchasing manager, Cafédirect; Joyce Maina, head of tea, Bird & Blend; Frances Musgrave, tea sourcing manager, Finlay Beverages; Anna Nordström, global coffee expert, Löfbergs; Hannah Nunn, founder & CEO, Kickstart Coffee; Bryony Osmond, master blender, Twinings; Jane Pettigrew, UK Tea Academy founder and tea expert; Valentina Molano Paredes, strategic planning & communications coordinator in sustainability, SKN Caribecafé SAS (NKG); Amy Powell, R&D Food Technologist for Tea, Clipper Tea; Noelia Villalobos Soto, director, Specialty Coffee Association of Costa Rica/ Sintercafé; and Kerrina Thorogood, partnerships director, Fairtrade Foundation.

Katy Woollard, product specialist, Whittard of Chelsea is hosting the tea workshop, which will explore the story behind and differences between two of the world’s most iconic green tea traditions Chinese pan-fired green teas and Japanese steamed green teas.

In the coffee workshop, Pact Coffee trainer and London Coffee Masters 2026 finalist, Laura Metcalfe, will offer a tasting of four coffees all grown by women at the top of their craft. As attendees taste, Laura will share the stories behind each cup and the women who produced them.

To register for the 2nd Women in Tea & Coffee Conference or learn more about the speakers, panellists, and sessions, please visit: women.teaandcoffee.events.