The Drinks Trust, WSET and the WSTA, are co-ordinating a drinks industry wide Equity Diversity & Inclusion programme with the stated aim ‘to create an inclusive and equitable UK drinks industry where everyone feels welcome, safe and supported.’
This is in response to the issues raised in the survey commissioned by Queena Wong and run by PROOF Insights with the first aim of the programme being to tackle safeguarding.
As a first step, the proposed EDI Programme Board, made up of the CEO and board members from each of the co-ordinating organisations, will be holding a consultative open meeting on 16 April at Vintners’ Hall from 1pm to 4pm where everyone is welcome. This follows two previous meetings, where it was agreed that the EDI Programme Board would be established to help lead the change.
Ross Carter, CEO, The Drinks Trust said, ‘The meeting will be consultative in format, and we’ll have a chance to update on how we see the programme unfolding. Our first priority will be safeguarding and how we can help the industry to keep employees safe at work.’
Michelle Brampton, CEO, WSET, added, ‘We want as many people to attend as possible from all sectors of the drinks industry. This meeting will very much be two-way exchange and we are looking forward to hearing feedback and ideas from the attendees.’
Miles Beale, CEO, WSTA said, ‘Ideally we’d like to create an advisory committee to help support the EDI Programme Board and we’ll be asking people at the meeting who have relevant experience to put themselves forward for consideration or to suggest a colleague.’
Those interested in attending should contact nicky.forrest@thisisphipps.com for further details.
