WineGB launches comprehensive EDI resource for wine industry
To mark the end of its 30 Days of Sustainable Action campaign, WineGB has launched its ‘People Support Hub’ to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within the wine industry.
The hub supports businesses, individuals, and allies to create a more welcoming sector that fosters development. This is particularly pertinent following the 2023 survey by Curious Vines which found that over three-quarters (76%) of those surveyed felt that women were underrepresented in leadership roles, while over half (58%) did not think that women had equal opportunities for progression. Of those polled in this survey, only 9% worked for a company with mostly or all female senior leaders[1].
Having a diverse workforce reflective of society brings new ideas and perspectives to businesses, boosting innovation and creativity. Data shows that the wider wine industry is increasingly reliant on older consumers[2] although consumption patterns of English and Welsh wine show a bias towards millennials.[3] The hub aims to help businesses increase diversity which in turn can help companies unlock and serve a wider customer base.
The hub signposts over 50 organisations within wine, alcohol, farming, and EDI. It is designed with UK domestic wine producers as its core audience, but its value can apply to others in the wider alcohol sector.
Information is provided in 10 sections with links to organisations best placed to provide practical support.
This launch follows the publication of WineGB’s Toolkit for Safe and Respectful Workplaces, a free and open-access document that acts as a one-stop-shop for information, support, and processes to help protect and train staff in ensuring the welfare of individuals. The publication preceded the law change on 26 October 2024 which requires employers to take “reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.
Last month, WineGB also released its first Sustainability Impact Report, the result of four years of data collection and two member surveys. The report reviewed the impact of WineGB’s Sustainable Wines of Great Britain Scheme (SWGB) and provided a broader assessment of the English and Welsh wine industry’s environmental, social, and governance impact. It showed significant early coverage of the SWGB Scheme, with 43% of the total UK vine hectarage.
By providing these resources, WineGB is laying the foundations for a sustainable GB wine sector where workers are empowered and respected, with easy access to resources that will assist their development and interactions with others.
Iain Anderson, Chair H/Advisors Cicero and former Government LGBTQ+ Business Champion, welcomed the hub and said: “This is a great initiative. Everyone needs to be supported in the workplace to be able to be their best. Signposting to great resources and expert advice allows both small and large employers to move faster. I warmly welcome this.”
Commenting on the launch of the WineGB EDI hub and the culmination of the 30 Days of Sustainable Action campaign, WineGB CEO Nicola Bates said: “Our industry is changing and becoming more diverse, but we can do more and WineGB’s People Support Hub highlights resources that businesses, individuals, and allies can use to get advice to foster more welcoming workplaces. Along with our Safeguarding Hub, we are showing that deeds, not words, matter most, and are practically supporting the people who make, sell, and drink our wine”
Emma Rix, WineGB Sustainability Executive, added: “This has been our first 30 Days of Sustainable Action that has seen us launch three major pieces of work within environmental and social sustainability, laying the groundwork for the future success of our industry. We now have a way for our producers to benchmark their sustainability efforts, and resources for businesses and individuals to protect themselves, and also find the support, training, and information they need to drive change for a more inclusive and safer sector. We look forward to further developing our work in this area.”
2 https://www.theiwsr.com/seven-key-trends-that-will-shape-the-global-wine-industry-in-2024/
Ends
For more information, please contact Phoebe French (phoebe@winegb.co.uk / +44 (0)7591 588328
Notes to editors:
Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) represents, leads, and supports the sustainable growth of the Great British wine sector. It is the national association for the English and Welsh wine industry. Its mission is to advance the interests of its 500 producer members who represent the vast majority of the UK’s productive hectarage, and establish Great Britain as one of the world’s great quality and most sustainable wine regions.
The 30 Days of Sustainable Action Campaign included the launch of the Toolkit for Safe and Respectful Workplaces (10 October), Sustainability Impact Report (24 October) and the WineGB EDI Hub (6 November), as well as social media posts highlighting Recycle Week and recent SWGB certifications.
[1] https://curiousvines.co.uk/
[2] https://www.theiwsr.com/seven-key-trends-that-will-shape-the-global-wine-industry-in-2024/
[3] https://www.wineintelligence.com/english-sparkling-wine-prospers-but-needs-to-win-the-celebratory-occasion/
Explore WineGB