Dr Sharon Hall has been Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Tea and Infusions Association since 2018. She previously led the Potato Processors’ Association and the Snack, Nut; Crisp Manufacturers’ Association, and was Head of Knowledge Transfer at the Potato Levy Board. Sharon brings deep expertise in stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and strategic leadership across the food and drink sector. She holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (Plant Science), a
Master’s in Science Communication, and a degree in Applied Biology. Her postdoctoral research focused on crop and disease interactions.
Sharon is President of Tea and Herbal Infusions Europe (THIE), where she chairs the Executive Board and the Plastics; Packaging Working Group. She also represents the UK on the UN FAO’s Intergovernmental Group on Tea, co-chairing its Sustainability and Livelihoods Pillar, with Mr W Mutai of the Tea Board of Kenya. A passionate advocate for equity, she co-founded the International Alliance for Women in Tea and is studying sustainable business at Cambridge.
Dr Sharon Hall became Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Tea and Infusions Association in June 2018. Prior to this, she led the Potato Processors’ Association and the Snack, Nut & Crisp Manufacturers’ Association. She also served as Head of Knowledge Transfer at the Potato Levy Board, working closely with farmers and gaining insights into the challenges of the food supply chain. Sharon has built extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, strategic leadership, communications, and issues management to support and elevate the sectors she represents. Internationally, Sharon is also President of Tea and Herbal Infusions Europe and she represents the UK on the UN FAO’s Intergovernmental Group on Tea, where she served as Chair from 2022 to 2024 and now co-chairs the Sustainability and Livelihoods Pillar.
Sharon holds an honours degree in Applied Biology, a Master’s in Science Communication, and a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Her postdoctoral research focused on crop and disease interactions. She is currently studying for a Post Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).
Sharon is also the co-founder of the International Alliance for Women in Tea (IAWT), a global initiative aimed at uniting, inspiring, and advancing women throughout the tea value chain. Dr Sharon Hall became Chief Executive of the UK Tea and Infusions Association in 2018. She previously led the Potato Processors’ Association and the Snack, Nut & Crisp Manufacturers’ Association, and served as Head of Knowledge Transfer at the Potato Levy Board, working closely with farmers and gaining insights into the challenges of the food supply chain. Sharon has extensive expertise in stakeholder engagement, strategic leadership, communications, and issues management.
Internationally, she is President of Tea and Herbal Infusions Europe and represents the UK on the UN FAO’s Intergovernmental Group on Tea, which she chaired (2022–2024). She now co-chairs its Sustainability and Livelihoods Pillar. Sharon holds a BSc in Applied Biology, an MSc in Science Communication, and a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, with postdoctoral research in crop–disease interactions. She is currently studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). She also co-founded the International Alliance for Women in Tea (IAWT), to advance women’s empowerment across the tea sector.
