Nearly 30 companies from across the wine trade have shown their support for the launch of an industry-wide Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiative. The EDI scheme, which will prioritize safeguarding, has seen the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and the Drinks Trust join forces to create a single council to begin industry-wide consultation.
This activity follows issues raised in a Women in Wine survey commissioned by Queena Wong and managed by Proof Insights. The survey found that 44% of respondents had considered leaving the industry as a result of problems they had personally faced. 78% of survey participants felt that sexism, sexism and harassment are serious issues.
So far the following organizations have indicated to Curious Vines that they support the launch of the initiative's goal of creating an inclusive and fair UK drinks industry where everyone feels welcome, safe and supported.
The next stage is to form an advisory board, made up of industry volunteers with a wide range of experience and skills, including Wong. The council will meet in the summer for the first time.
