UNITED KINGDOM
Paul Rooke is the new executive director of the British Coffee Association. His immediate concerns are the impacts of COVID-19 and Brexit on the UK coffee industry.
Rooke, who started in the new position in late March, spent 25 years with the Agricultural Industries Confederation trade association where he served as head of policy and external relations.
“The coffee industry is, like many other sectors, facing a period of massive upheaval and business uncertainty from COVID-19,” Rooke said in a statement. “Coffee is an everyday part of so many peoples’ lives and we will be looking to ensure its production and availability to customers can be maintained during this very difficult period and those members whose businesses are facing immense pressure can get some respite from the measures government is introducing. Whilst I am of course excited to be joining the UK coffee industry, we recognise that there is an immediate need to support our members, and UK coffee, through this crisis.”