Women represent 43% of drinks industry
Source: The Spirits Business
by Annie Hayes
20th October, 2016
Almost half of the UK’s wine and spirit industry workforce are female, according to a new report published by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.
In total 36% are involved in the production of wine and spirits – and of this percentage, 86% work in spirits distillation.
As part of the report, YouGov polled more than 1000 women to discover what the industry means to them.
The top words used by women to describe the industry were ‘skilled’ and ‘interesting’, following by ‘sophisticated’, ‘desirable’, ‘exciting’, ‘trendy’ and ‘fashionable’.
Chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, Miles Beale, said: “Women in the industry are challenging the stereotype of the alcohol sector being male-dominated. This report aims to highlight the skill sets developed and breadth of roles taken up by women in the industry today.
“We wanted to promote this hugely positive trend of the growing involvement of women and we hope this report showcases the wine and spirit industry as a great sector of women to succeed and excel.”
To celebrate the growing involvement of women in the alcohol sector, the WSTA hosted an event at Portcullis House in London’s Parliamentary Estate.
The reception was co-hosted by Tim Loughton, MP Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Wine and Spirit Group, and Flick Drummond MP, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Women and Work Group.
Drummond said: “The Women and Work All Party Parliamentary Group aims to bring together Parliamentarians and businesses to create and promote discussion around women and work.
“We were delighted to meet so many inspirational women from the wine and spirit industry at this event. It was really fantastic to see how much female ambition and talent there is already in the sector and I hope the number of women in wine and spirits continues to soar.”
WSTA parliamentary affairs manager Rebekah Kendrick, who organised the event, said: “There are so many inspiring women in wine and spirits and this event was the perfect way to bring the industry together with MP’s, to celebrate the incredible achievements that female distillers, winemakers, CEOs and MWs have made and are still making today.
“Working with the Women and Work APPG, as well as the Wine and Spirit APPG, really shows that Parliament is backing women in business. We look forward to their continued support.”
Excellence in spirits production can never be confined to just one gender – check out our top 10 female master distillers and blenders. http://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2016/03/top-10-female-master-distillers-and-blenders/