Raising the Bar: Drinks United Leadership Summit

Raising the Bar: Drinks United Leadership Summit

Join leaders across the UK drinks industry for an afternoon of action-oriented dialogue, peer exchange, and bold leadership. Together, we’ll explore what it takes to lead safer, more inclusive workplaces, and commit to raising the bar across the sector.

Expect an engaging, professionally facilitated session with structured discussions, practical takeaways, and the opportunity to connect with peers committed to building a stronger, more inclusive industry.

About Drinks United

Drinks United is an industry-led initiative formed by the WSTA, WSET and the Drinks Trust, shaping a united UK drinks industry where everyone feels safe, included, and supported. We partner with businesses, providers and individuals to deliver practical tools, safeguarding resources, leadership engagement and coordinated action that benefit the entire sector. Learn more at www.drinksunited.co.uk.

Event Highlights

👥 Exclusive invitation for MDs/CEOs and their chosen DEI leads, HR professionals, or champions.

🎤 Audience with Ben Branson – a fireside chat with Alya Lilani exploring inclusive leadership, innovation, and the future of socialising.

🧠 Structured, facilitated roundtables focused on practical action we can take forward.

🥂 Networking reception with canapés and drinks, hosted at Diageo HQ

💡 First access to new DEI resources and partner initiatives

Speaker Highlight: An Audience with Ben Branson

We are delighted to announce that Ben Branson, pioneering founder of Seedlip and advocate for neurodiversity, will join us for an Audience with… session alongside Alya Lilani, DEI consultant and Drinks United Advisory Council member.

Ben transformed the global drinks landscape by creating the world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit, redefining how the industry approaches choice, inclusion, and socialising. Today, through ventures like Pollen Projects and his neurodiversity platform The Hidden 20%, he continues to challenge conventions and champion inclusive leadership.

Their conversation will explore inclusive leadership & the future of the industry; bringing together insights from entrepreneurship, innovation, and lived experience to inspire action across our sector.

Ticket Model

This summit is designed for leaders who want to drive change from the top while also empowering those delivering that change on the ground. That’s why each ticket includes entry for two attendees: a senior decision-maker (e.g. CEO, MD, GM) and a colleague involved in implementing inclusive workplace practices, such as a DEI lead, HR manager, ERG lead, or champion. This format helps align strategic vision and practical action and lay the groundwork for sustainable impact across the sector.