About - UK Tea Academy

UKTA reason for being

To provide outstanding education for tea professionals and tea enthusiasts worldwide

The UKTA was established in 2015 to raise the standards of tea service in hospitality. One of the UKTA founders and Director of Studies Jane Pettigrew, is a passionate advocate of high quality tea, prepared correctly to draw the best flavour from the leaf. Jane is among the best-known and most highly respected professionals in the tea world. She has worked as a writer and educator for over 35 years and is tirelessly committed to sharing her knowledge of tea with anyone who has an appreciation for this fabulous leaf. She teaches all over the world, has written 17 books on tea and was awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) for services to the tea industry.

Jane has created engaging and informative multi-media courses with our highly-regarded tutors who all have specific areas of expertise, from a native understanding of key tea-growing regions, and the history and culture of tea in Britain, to tea science and health.

A certificate from the UKTA is recognised in the hospitality industry as representing a high level of achievement and means the holder has attained a deep understanding and serious appreciation of quality tea. On completion of the introductory Level 1: Tea Champion, most of our students are inclined to develop an even greater knowledge of this fascinating world and enrol in Level 2: Tea Sommelier. Some go even further, to the ultimate challenge of Level 3: Tea Diploma.

The UKTA is recognised as the UK’s leading provider of tea training and now with online global reach and courses in several languages, we have students choosing the UKTA above all others in the international tea training arena. They are never disappointed and all become part of our close UKTA community of tea lovers.

Launch Party Video

UKTA Tutors

Highly-regarded tea experts, guiding our students through live webinars

Jane Pettigrew

Co-founder and Director of Studies

Jane is one of the best-known and most highly respected professionals in the tea world and was voted Best Tea Educator at World Tea Awards, World Tea Expo 2016.

Juyan Webster

UKTA Tutor

From a tea-growing family in China, Juyan is our Chinese tea expert. She teaches the Tea Sommelier Chinese tea module and Chinese Tea Masterclass.

Beverley-Claire Wainwright

UKTA Tutor

Tea cultivation expert Beverly processes tea at her factory in Scotland, and shares her hands-on knowledge to our students at every level.

Sam Kimmins

UKTA Tutor

Sam has decades of experience as a professional Tea Blender and Buyer and has frequently shared her expertise on TV and radio. She teaches Tea Champion modules.

Kate Popham

UKTA Co-ordinator and Tutor

Kate has worked in the tea business for over 10 years. She works behind the scenes for the UKTA and also shares her extensive knowledge as one of our tutors.

Carri Hecks

UKTA Tutor

Carri has extensive tea knowledge and teaches modules for Tea Champion Theory and Practical, and is a specialist in the perfection of tea-brewing.

Asako Steward

UKTA Tutor

Asako is a true expert in Japanese tea. She is a Qualified Senior Tea Instructor with the Japan Tea Association and was appointed Japan Tea Ambassador to the UK in 2017.

Alex Probyn

UKTA Tutor

Alex is a Master Tea Blender and tasting expert with over 20 years experience. He runs several UKTA Masterclasses both online and at his own blendatorium in Kent.

Sujin Lee

UKTA Tutor

Our Korean tea specialist, Sujin is dedicated to the Korean way of tea. Passionate about the tea and the ceremony she teaches the UKTA Korean Tea Masterclass.

Chau-Jean Lin

UKTA Tutor

Chau-Jean, our Taiwanese tea expert, grew up on her family’s tea farm in Taiwan. She has her own tea business and teaches the UKTA Taiwanese Tea Masterclass.

Dr Tim Bond

UKTA Tutor

Tim is a member of the Tea Advisory Panel and Chair of the British Standards Institute tea committee. He has created the UKTA Tea Science and Health Masterclass.