Tea-riffic Ambassadors

Stephen Twining

Job Title: Director of Corporate Relations

Tell us about your role at Twinings and what you do. I am a global brand ambassador for the company, and support our markets in gaining media coverage. Explaining to retailers and out of home customers the difference between our teas and tea in general. Increasingly talking about our blending skills for Infusions.

Tell us a typical day in the life of your role.There really are not any typical days!

What do you love about your job? The variety of things I get involved in, and working with the different teams around the world. When I hold consumer tastings, seeing people faces light up when they discover a new tea.

What made you choose your career? When I was 8 years old, I conducted my first tea tasting for my class mates. They were amazed by the variety of different tastes, so I thought I would teach the world about tea and infusions.

Name two traits to describe yourself? I enjoy working with and meeting people, and I have a great passion for our products.

What's your favourite country you’ve visited? I have been lucky enough to visit over 50 countries, but my favourite journey is always the one that takes me home.

What's your favourite tea? It changes by the hour, as different teas suit me at different times of day.

What's your favourite product? I love several of our Cold In'fuse range, and especially the Passionfruit Mango and Blood Orange with fizzy water. Lemon and Gingeris a perennial favourite as is Blackcurrant, Gingseng and Vanilla.

Natalia Dabrowska

Role:Twinings Strand Flagship Store Manager.

How long have you been with Twinings? Since early 2011 – that is pretty long but I love every minute of it.

Which tea could you not live without? Assam – my morning wake-me-up tea, my lifesaver and a tea fit for any occasion. But I also like the whole range of teas that come in our Superblends range - they are created with the specific aim to fit in with our personal wellness. At the moment my favourite is `Focus`.

How have your tea habits changed over the years? Absolutely! Working with Twinings is like working in `tea haven`, you’re spoiled for choice. I used to drink only black teas and only a few herbal infusions, but now I love white and green teas and love to mix different flavours.

What’s your top tea tip? Don`t be afraid to try something new – so often we stick to our favourite tea and never try anything new – be adventurous!

How do you relax? With a cup of Twinings whole-camomile-flowers infusion and a good book.

Alessandra Rovetta

Role: Senior Brand Ambassador

Tell us about your role at Twinings and what you do? I love making our customers feel pampered and through my service and attention to detail, hope to create memorable brews and ensure our sessions are practical and engaging.

How long have you worked at Twinings? I joined the Home of Twinings in February 2022.

Tell us a typical day in the life of your role? Every day could sound pretty much the same – caring our customers, managing the tea bar and tastings – but there is always something exciting and challenging that makes different every single day.

What do you love about your job? I adore sharing my passion for tea with all the people I interact with on daily basis, creating an inclusive environment where they feel welcome. And the constant desire to improvement, getting to meet and speak with interesting and inspiring people.

What made you choose your career? Smitten by Britain and a truly love for tea got me into the UK tea industry.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? The wisdom, that comes with experience. Communication, that means active listening as well as frankly speaking. And fantastic teamwork.

Name three words that you would use to describe you.The first three adjectives that come up to describe myself are kind, organised and proactive.

How do you think your colleagues would describe you? I would say welcoming, enthusiastic and sweet.

What's your favourite country you’ve visited? Italy, of course! It flaunts the most astonishing cultural treasures and magnificent scenery, mesmerizing you completely from North to South. Italy is just amazingly gorgeous, not only incredible architecture, art, history, literature, poetry, music - and all this going on for centuries – but also great food and fabulous, creative people.

What's your favourite tea? This is a hard question because I pick tea based on what state I want to be in, body feelings, season and weather, moment of the day etc. So I would say my favourite tea is the one I haven’t tried yet! However, if I could only have one type of tea for the rest of my life, I would choose a Darjeeling.

What's your favourite herb? The Nanah mint, full of flavour, intensely aromatic and sweet, superb for cold brew Moroccan mint tea and as a condiment in many vegetables recipes.

What makes you one of Twinings Wellbeing Experts? Putting the customer at the centre is the first step to human-friendly health and wellbeing, which include having good mental health, high life satisfaction, a sense of purpose, being socially connected and ability to manage stress. As people seek new ways to learn about and take responsibility for their health, I offer the support they need from every facet of society, using empathy, ethics, resilience, respect and transparency. There is so much good stuff to share about small lifestyle changes that can make a big difference to how look and feel.

Angelo Tantillo

Role: Senior Brand Ambassador

Tell us about your role at Twinings and what you do? As Twinings Brand Ambassadors, it's our responsibility to create a warm and comfortable space for customers to learn about our history and our range. It's our job to create a connection and a memory that makes them want to come back. 

How long have you worked at Twinings? I started in December 2021.

Tell us a typical day in the life of your role? Depending on the day, I start with making sure that the shelves are restocked and the products are displayed nicely and then I set up the tasting bar in order to have tea ready for the first customer of the day. Then the doors open and it's showtime! Three days a week we run Masterclasses and Bespoke Blending Sessions so on those days we need to make sure that the tasting room is ready. It's a bit like setting up a stage. 

What do you love about your job? Sharing my knowledge with customers at the bar, brewing teas for them and let them know about our range and history.

What made you choose your career? I'd say that this career chose me! I have a background in acting and food and storytelling are my favourite things. A job like this allow me to combine them and I love it!

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? A talent for storytelling. A quite solid history of customer service. 

Name three words that you would use to describe you. The million dollar question: "whimsical, team player (I know these are two words), loyal". 

How do you think your colleagues would describe you? Intelligent, funny, elegant, eccentric, energetic and considerate.

What's your favourite country you’ve visited? Portugal.

What's your favourite tea? Tie Guan Yin Oolong. The aroma reminds me of my grandparents balcony.

What's your favourite herb? Sideritis scardica (Mountain Tea), Spearmint, Rose… I can't choose one. 

What makes you one of Twinings Wellbeing Experts? The idea that mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing are very much connected and the strong will to learn everything I can about the benefits of teas and tisanes so that I can share my knowledge with my customers. And to practice what I preach! 

Liam Rose

Role: Senior Brand Ambassador

Tell us about your role at Twinings and what you do? As a Brand Ambassador my role here at the Twinings Strand store is to match customers with their perfect tea, to provide new tea experiences to those seeking to broaden their tea horizons and teach the Masterclasses.

How long have you worked at Twinings? Since July 2021.

Tell us a typical day in the life of your role? First my colleagues and I set up the shop and, once we're open, we help customers find the products they are after or find them new teas and infusions they may not have even heard of yet. 

What do you love about your job? The variety of teas we work with and the depth of their history fascinates me. 

What made you choose your career? The working environment that surrounds tea is one of relative calm and relaxation so, while the store can be very busy, there is always a moment for calm and a cup.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? I am a very organised and detail focused individual, my love for systems and clarity is one I hope benefits my work ethic. 

Name three words that you would use to describe you. Organised, interested & open. 

How do you think your colleagues would describe you? Always happy to listen. 

What's your favourite country you’ve visited? Iceland, I took a week long trip to hike the mountains and waterfall around Reykjavik and those memories have certainly stayed with me.

What's your favourite tea? Long Jing, or Dragon Well green tea. It's a beautiful, pan-fired green tea from Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, China. I lived there for 2 years and it left an impression on me.

What's your favourite herb? I love the aroma and smoothness of lavender when combined with a deep black tea. 

What makes you one of Twinings Wellbeing Experts? Part of the training we go through here at the Strand is to impart to us the importance of wellbeing and the helpful effects of the many and various components in our blends. 

Catriona Trainer

Role: Brand Ambassador

Tell us about your role at Twinings and what you do? I am a Brand Ambassador at Twinings, which sees me spend my days interacting with customers from all over the world to deliver them a first-class experience and ensure they leave with a tea that is the perfect match for them.

How long have you worked at Twinings? I have been with the business since the beginning of February 2025.

Tell us a typical day in the life of your role? My days can be very varied, but often begin with one of my favourite tasks: selecting the teas that for the tasting bar that will be sampled by our customers throughout the day. As well as choosing teas that will beautifully represent the business, I also like to ensure that the blends I select are ones that I am personally passionate about. Later, I will often move to an even more customer-focused part of the day, working on the shop floor to engage with people and ensure they find what they need.

What do you love about your job? One of my very favourite things to do in life is interact with people, and there is an absolute wealth of opportunity to do this within my role at Twinings. As well as a great customer base, the team I work with every day are so very kind, open and funny, which absolutely makes even the most challenging day brighter.

What made you choose your career? I am a performer and creative by trade, and so was initially drawn by the public speaking aspects of the job involved in running the tasting bar and masterclasses. I have also been a tea drinker since I was old enough to have caffeine (in Scotland we call tea lovers ‘tea jennies’), so I was as of course eager to work in such a historic and respected place.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? I think my years of performance and past customer service roles have really honed my people skills and my empathy, which I try to employ in every day of my life. I’m a very passionate person when I care about something, and I think this translates well to tea!

Name three words that you would use to describe you. Empathetic, creative, helpful.

How do you think your colleagues would describe you? I have just been to the shop floor to ask them, and they said ‘theatrical’, ‘elegant’, ‘whimsical’ and ‘a sweetheart’. I’ll take it!

What's your favourite country you’ve visited? I love Greece! I love the food, the people, the history. I also had the most wonderful time in Japan, drinking tea under the Sakura.

What's your favourite tea? Rosy Fig White Tea! I tried it in my first week and have not stopped talking about it since. That and also a 2nd Flush Assam for my daily cup.

What's your favourite herb? I have recently been converted to rose! It’s such an incredibly nostalgic scent, and a flavour that appears in almost all of my favourite blends.

What makes you one of Twinings Wellbeing Experts? The understanding that the mind and body are deeply connected with one another, and that taking the time to soothe the mind can sometimes act as a balm for physical ailments. Additionally, we undergo training at Twinings to ensure that we have well-rounded knowledge of the components of our wellness blends.

Osayd Nizam

Role: Junior Brand Ambassador

Tell us about your role at Twinings and what you do? I work as a Junior Brand Ambassador. My job is to ensure customers are happy and have a lovely experience as they browse our various blends and infusions. I’m there to answer any questions they may have and make sure they leave the shop with a smile on their faces.

How long have you worked at Twinings? I joined the team in February 2025.

Tell us a typical day in the life of your role? The day begins with a quick refresh of the shop before we open our doors. Depending on the day, I might be setting up our Tea Bar—where we choose up to four teas for customers to sample. Sometimes, I work at the front of the store to help customers find what they need or provide recommendations.

What do you love about your job? I love engaging with customers and helping them find what they’re looking for. The nature of the job also allows me to get to know our lovely customers better, which helps me recommend various teas and blends they might never have tried before. Their reactions as they discover new teas are very heartwarming and always bring a smile to my face. I also love learning from my colleagues, who have a bevy of experience and historical knowledge—you’re always learning something new!

What made you choose your career? Both my grandfather and father are in the tea industry in Bangladesh, and I was lucky enough to begin my career alongside my father as a tea broker. As a third-generation
tea taster, I wanted to continue my journey in the tea industry and was fortunate to be hired by Twinings as a Junior Brand Ambassador. Additionally, I love engaging with people from all over the world, and this job provides me exactly that opportunity.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? I believe I bring a positive energy to the job, which I hope helps create a cheerful environment for the rest of my team!

Name three words that you would use to describe you. Passionate, energetic, and approachable.

How do you think your colleagues would describe you? Jovial and empathetic.

What's your favourite country you’ve visited? I have a very soft spot for Thailand, as my family and I have been visiting since I was a small child. I’m a huge fan of the cuisine, and the people of Thailand are some of the nicest and friendliest around.

What's your favourite tea? It’s very hard to choose just one from our incredible array of teas, but if you had to twist my arm, it would have to be Nuwara Eliya Lover's Leap—a light, fragrant black tea perfect for all seasons. Not to mention, I was lucky enough to visit Nuwara Eliya and its beautiful tea estates.

What's your favourite herb? It would have to be mint. It adds a certain je ne sais quoi and is very versatile in many of our infusions and blends.

What makes you one of Twinings Wellbeing Experts? I’ve been lucky enough to receive training from Pamela Spence to help customers find the right blends and infusions to complement their daily routines.

Pei Wu

Role: Brand Ambassador

Tell us about your role at Twinings and what you do? My role is brand ambassador, I help people enjoy their time and fall in love with tea.

How long have you worked at Twinings? I joined the strand team in August 2022, so around a year. 

Tell us a typical day in the life of your role? Making sure the shop is tidy, tea is served and everyone can find the tea they love.

What do you love about your job? I spend all day surrounded by tea lovers. 

What made you choose your career? Tea has brought me many great memories involving my friends and family.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? I brought my creativity, curiosity and multiple languages!

Name three words that you would use to describe you. I am calm, thoughtful and open-minded.

How do you think your colleagues would describe you? A little quirky.

What's your favourite country you’ve visited? Berlin, the first country I travelled alone, I enjoyed the whole journey, alone but not lonely.

What's your favourite tea? Oolong tea. Always brings back sweet memories of my family back in Taiwan.

What's your favourite herb? Hibiscus reminds me of my grandmother’s house. She has a whole fence covered in wild hibiscus.

What makes you one of Twinings Wellbeing Experts? My ability to empathise and my attention to detail makes me a Twinings Welling expert.

Geordie Lyall-Collins

Role: Junior Brand Ambassador

Tell us about your role at Twinings and what you do? As a Brand Ambassador, I help people connect with the cuppa that they never knew existed. Each day I get to see someone’s face light up when they try or smell flavours/blends they had never imagined of.

How long have you worked at Twinings? I joined in September 2024.  

Tell us a typical day in the life of your role? Typically, some cleaning and restocking the shelves before the rush of customers that visit The Strand every day. Every shift is unique as I meet kind people from all around the world who tell me about themselves and the tea cultures of their homelands.

What do you love about your job? I have a passion for retail, so why not be taught the skill by the oldest tea shop in London?

What made you choose your career? I moved to Great Britan few months ago for new experiences and it doesn’t get more British than selling tea.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? I treat all walks of the life the same, I am very creative, and I like innovative products.

Name three words that you would use to describe you. Fun, excited and active.

How do you think your colleagues would describe you? Energetic, mood boosting.

What's your favourite country you’ve visited? Thailand, I have many family members and friends that live here. I love their culture.

What's your favourite tea? High Grown Uva with some milk and brown sugar. This tea reminds me of my introduction to tea in Sri Lanka using strong black tea, frothy milk, and a spoonful of sugar. Shout out to my friend AB for showing me tea under a new light and his beautiful country.

What's your favourite herb? Ginger is my favourite herb. I like the hot initial sensation with a gentle buzz. I grew up drinking a lot of ginger beer in hot New Zealand summers.

What makes you one of Twinings Wellbeing Experts? Twinings have taught me about the origins of the company selling traditional black, green, yellow, white, oolong and Pu’erh. However, the future of the company is steering towards catering to a wider consumer base which includes non-caffeinated alternatives that provide people with a variety of health benefits. Thanks to the training we had with Pamela Spence, our herbalist, I know so much more about the herbs and their benefits.

Serena Caprioli

Role: Junior Brand Ambassador

Tell us about your role at Twinings and what you do? I’m a Junior Brand Ambassador. I welcome people into the store, make sure they have a lovely experience and help them find what they’re looking for or discover something new.

How long have you worked at Twinings? I joined in June 2024. 

Tell us a typical day in the life of your role? I engage with customers helping them find the right tea for them, make sure the shop is tidy and fully restocked and that the bar is set up for people to try any tea they like.

What do you love about your job? Sharing stories and memories about tea.

What made you choose your career? The possibility of engaging directly with people while being surrounded by something I genuinely like: tea.

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? Organisation, attention to customers and a positive attitude.

Name three words that you would use to describe you. Kind, empathetic, curious. 

How do you think your colleagues would describe you? Always happy to help. 

What's your favourite country you’ve visited? Greece. 

What's your favourite tea? Golden Monkey for its sweet notes.

What's your favourite herb? Rosemary, it reminds me of home back in Italy.

What makes you one of Twinings Wellbeing Experts? The knowledge I’ve gained through the training here at Twinings and a personal interest in mental and physical wellbeing in support of a balanced life.

Theviya Karunaharan

Role: Junior Brand Ambassador

Tell us about your role at Twinings and what you do? I am a junior brand ambassador. I frolic around the store: making sure it’s tidy, making sure that customers are happy and bring good vibes.

How long have you worked at Twinings? I started in September 2024.

Tell us a typical day in the life of your role? A day in our lives is quite eventful and packed!! We take on a variety of roles such as running the tea tasting bar, helping customers find their perfect tea and handling the delivery. No two days are the same.

What do you love about your job? Helping customers find their perfect cup of tea. (So they don’t say “that’s not my cup of tea”)

What made you choose your career? I’m passionate about learning and there’s so much in the world of tea that is truly fascinating!

What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job? My passion for the history and being able to speak so passionately about the history of tea and Twinings. Great teamwork skills too!

Name three words that you would use to describe you. Enthusiastic, friendly and dramatic (in the best of way). 

How do you think your colleagues would describe you? Silly, positive and welcoming.

What's your favourite country you’ve visited? Italy! I had done a few food courses there and learnt to make incredible food. The view and the vibes are incredible. 

What's your favourite tea? The Golden Monkey. A stunning Chinese black tea with a gentle sweetness and nuttiness. Absolutely gorgeous.

What's your favourite herb? Rose!!! It reminds me of having falooda at home with some sweet basil seeds and ice cream. It’s gorgeous in our Moroccan mint with rose flavoured green tea.

What makes you one of Twinings Wellbeing Experts? I’m passionate about mental wellbeing and appreciating the small things is so important. Sometimes this is the small cup of joy you enjoy during the day. Or a little sweet treat :)