As Fairtrade Fortnight begins, the Fairtrade Foundation is delighted to announce that drinks expert, presenter, and lifestyle journalist, Aleesha Hansel is joining the charity as a Fairtrade Ambassador.
Aleesha is passionate about sustainability, trade justice, women’s rights, and diversity, as well as being an advocate on the importance of inclusion for marginalised individuals and communities.
Starting her career as a journalist, Aleesha has become a successful wine writer and presenter. Currently, she is the resident wine expert on ITV’s Sunday morning show ‘Love your Weekend’ and regularly writes for national publications such as Tatler, Red, The Independent, Ocado Life, and Decanter.
In 2022, Aleesha was announced as a UN Women UK delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women, with a focus on the environment and climate change. This reflects her longstanding commitment to sustainability and followed a campaign she spearheaded to highlight the unnecessary weight of heavy glass wine bottles, the production and transportation of which is the wine industry’s biggest contribution to climate change.
Speaking on her new role, Aleesha Hansel, said: “While the nature of our challenges differ, I am personally aware of the difficulties facing those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as I hold the dubious honour of being the first wine writer of Black heritage in the UK alongside being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Working together to make the world a fairer place is something I can wholeheartedly throw my support behind, which is why I’m extremely proud to be named as a Fairtrade Foundation ambassador.”
Aleesha was shortlisted for the IWSC Wine Communicator of the Year Award 2022, won the inaugural Louis Roederer BAME Bursary in 2020, and has been a judge at the annual Decanter World Wine Awards since 2021. Additionally, Aleesha delivers creative content and wine tastings for brands and clients in-person or online.
Based in London, Aleesha is a familiar name in both the broadcast and publishing worlds: she is a contributor to BBC Radio 4, BBC London, ITV News at 10, the SheerLuxe Show on YouTube, and CGTN. Her recent writing highlights include an interview with actor and activist Idris Elba for National Geographic Traveller Food.
Aleesha continues: “To me, striving for a world in which farmers can earn a sustainable living is both common sense and the decent thing to do. Beyond just making sure workers earn a fair wage, with Fairtrade’s support, communities are equipped not only to deal with issues directly related to agriculture, but with rippling and further reaching ones, like gender equality, education, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices at work and at home.”
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