Drinks United

In 2025, Drinks United commissioned the first industry-wide culture survey of the UK drinks sector, creating a shared, independent evidence base on workplace safety, inclusion and support. The Executive Summary Report is now live on our website and available to download. 🔗 in bio. The full report, including detailed methodology and demographic breakdowns, will be published in March 2026. We encourage you to read the findings, reflect on the insights, share your thoughts, and circulate it within your network. Thank you to all our partners and supporters. Together, we can continue building a safer, more inclusive drinks industry.

✨ We are excited to announce the launch of the updated Drinks United Resource Hub! A dedicated space with information, training, and support for everyone in the UK drinks industry. Whether you’re looking for professional development or well-being resources, the Hub brings together free tools and trusted providers in safety and DEI. 📞 The Support Line — in partnership with The Drinks Trust- offers the same trusted phone number, now with specialist safeguarding and sexual harassment support. 🤖 Prefer to start anonymously? Try the SaferSpace Support Bot for confidential, first-step guidance. The Hub is a key part of our commitment to fostering a more united, safe, and supported community. Explore a wealth of resources, from training and mentorship programs to well-being and diversity initiatives. Explore on our website- link 🔗 in bio. Safe. Supported. Inclusive. United.

Who we are. What we stand for. Why it matters. What is Drinks United all about? Our purpose, our values, and the work we’re doing to make the drinks industry more inclusive, safe, equitable, and representative. Swipe through to learn more about our mission, how we collaborate, and how you can get involved. Creating a united UK drinks industry, where everyone feels safe, included, and supported. Drinks United.

In honour of National Wine Careers Week, we're kicking off a Diverse Voices of Drinks series - starting with wine - to celebrate the people, stories, and breadth of opportunities that make the industry so dynamic. Introducing @goldynotay , Creative Director at @lumelondon . If you'd like to be featured, get in touch with us! How did you get started in wine? My Italian hubby whisked me away to Italy when we were dating and I had the most aromatic, unforgettable wines. I relished in hearing the stories within the bottles that we consumed. Those stories helped shape my story. We both opened Lume Restaurant & Wine Shop in Primrose Hill. Lume means ‘light’ and it comes from a story about a bottle of wine being the light on a table. What's one piece of advice you have for someone joining the industry? Often when we don’t see ourselves represented in a particular field, we second guess and have imposter syndrome. Put those feelings aside and focus on what your fit is. If there’s a ‘lack of’, then fill it. Tackle those feelings by taking initiative. I recently organised my first event at Lume - a Women in Wine tasting. I hosted as I’m skilled at public speaking and I brought in the women winemakers who are the experts. We worked in togetherness which resulted in a hugely successful event. My aim was to celebrate the diversity in the wine world that is often underrepresented. What's the best thing about working in wine? The poeticism. The passion. The stories. You may sample a dozen wines and then suddenly discover an exquisite gem. But others may not agree with your assessment. So there’s a discourse. A debate. To me…that’s art. #NationalWineCareersWeek #VoicesOfDrinks

In honour of National Wine Careers Week, we're kicking off a Diverse Voices of Drinks series - starting with wine - to celebrate the people, stories, and breadth of opportunities that make the industry so dynamic. Introducing Lucy Spain, Wine Writer at @modern_wine . If you'd like to be featured, get in touch with us! How did you get started in wine? I initially discovered wine through observing my father’s wine club far before I was old enough to understand why my father and his friends drank something in a manner that resembled a roundtable of scholars. Something about it made the beverage seem elusive and unattainable. At that moment I made a mental note to someday obtain the wisdom I would need to confidently sit around a table like the one I'd observed. I found myself working in hospitality, which began to broaden my exposure to wine beyond what my youthful eyes had initially seen. As comfortable as I felt inside of bars and restaurants, I did feel uncomfortable by the lack of gender diversity, especially at a leadership level. I decided I would have a career in this industry, and it would be firmly rooted in a solid foundation of knowledge that no one could dispute. It wasn’t long before I found myself deep in a world of geography, science, history, agriculture, climate, and culture, things I never imagined could fit inside a 750ml bottle. What's one thing that's supported you during your career? Mentorship. I’m a firm believer in “see it to be it” and finding mentors who you see yourself in can be incredibly inspiring. Connect with groups like this one, and once you get your footing, make yourself visible. Be generous with your time and knowledge, pay it forward so we can continue lifting one another up. What's one piece of advice you have for someone joining the industry? When you are under-represented it is essential that you author your own story. We must show people who we are and how we want to be seen before they tell us. No matter how ‘established’ an industry may seem, time moves away from the past and into the future where fun, diversity, accessibility, and technology are key. #NationalWineCareersWeek #VoicesofDrinks

In honour of National Wine Careers Week, we're kicking-off a Diverse Voices of Drinks series - starting with wine - to celebrate the people, stories, and breadth of opportunities that make the industry so dynamic. Introducing @shivanitomar , Awards Manager at Decanter. If you'd like to be featured, get in touch with us! How did you get started in wine? I first discovered my passion for wine while working as an international flight attendant. Travelling the world exposed me to diverse wines, cultures, and dining experiences, which sparked my curiosity and inspired me to pursue WSET qualification. After completing WSET Level 3, I realised I wanted to build a career in wine and went on to study Wine Management at the Burgundy School of Business in France. That journey eventually brought me to London, where I now work as Awards Manager at Decanter, managing the world’s largest and most prestigious wine competition. I have since completed my WSET Diploma. What's one thing that's supported you during your career? Having supportive mentors and, in particular, the incredible community of women in wine has been one of the biggest sources of support throughout my career. When I first moved to London and entered the wine industry, I barely knew anyone and often felt out of place. Joining Women in Wine provided me with a sense of belonging, confidence, and connection at a time when there were very few people of colour in the UK wine trade. What's one piece of advice you have for someone joining the industry? Stay curious and say yes to opportunities, even if they feel outside your comfort zone. Maintaining a strong work ethic, building genuine relationships, and seeking out mentorship are equally important. You will find that people in this industry are incredibly generous with their time and knowledge. What's the best thing about working in wine? Wine uniquely brings together culture, hospitality, travel, storytelling, and community. It is an industry filled with passionate people who genuinely love what they do, making the work endlessly rewarding and inspiring. Image Credit: Ellen Richardson. #NationalWineCareersWeek #VoicesOfDrinks

Representation, accessibility, culture and neurodiversity aren’t side conversations in hospitality, they shape the future of the industry. If you’re attending BCB London, come and join two important conversations happening on the Main Stage this Tuesday: 🗣️ Beyond the Buzzwords: Real Diversity in Hospitality ⏰ 13:00–13:45 Representation in hospitality impacts far more than visibility, it shapes culture, creativity, guest experience and commercial performance. This panel looks at how we move beyond performative conversations and toward meaningful, practical change across the industry. 🧠 Wired Differently but Brilliantly — Neurodivergence in Hospitality: Barrier or Brilliance? ⏰ 15:30–16:15 Hospitality can be an incredible space for neurodivergent talent to thrive, creative, fast-paced, people-focused and dynamic. But it can also come with challenges that aren’t always openly discussed. This session explores how we move beyond awareness and into practical support, better understanding, and environments where both neurodivergent and neurotypical teams can thrive together. These are the conversations that help shape more sustainable, inclusive and accessible hospitality spaces. for both teams and guests. If you’re at BCB, come and be part of them.

Join us @london_wine_fair ! 🍷 Drinks United will be there bringing great conversations and insights. Check out the image for all the session times and topics, you won’t want to miss what’s lined up. See you there!

“We can’t change the industry if we stay in our own bubbles.” Kim Wilson @northsouthwines_uk one of our partners shares why creating a more inclusive, supportive drinks industry starts with people, not policies. From regular team check-ins and mental health support, to creating a culture where no one feels they have to hide who they are at work, their approach is rooted in something simple but powerful: putting people first. Their learning? Inclusion isn’t a tick-box. It’s an ongoing practice, shaped by listening, shared experiences and being willing to challenge “the way it’s always been done.” Because if we want to retain talent and build a future-ready industry, we need to create spaces where everyone feels they belong. Real progress happens when we’re open, honest and willing to learn from each other.

The Drinks United full survey report is now live, a deeper look at inclusion, accessibility and lived experience across the drinks industry - and the actions we can all take. Download your copy at /survey - 🔗 in bio.

It’s a structural issue. And the findings from this report make that very clear. Download the executive summary report, ahead of the full report- link in bio.

We often talk about progress in the industry. But are we measuring it honestly? The data might surprise you.