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10 March 2021

Scotch Whisky Industry Builds on Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity with Creation of New Focus Group

Scotch Whisky Industry Builds on Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity with Creation of New Focus Group
The Scotch Whisky industry has launched a focus group to help achieve sector-wide diversity and inclusion goals.

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced the creation of a Diversity and Inclusion Focus Group to help deliver the targets set out in the industry’s Diversity & Inclusivity Charter, which was launched last year.

The group, comprised of representatives from SWA member companies, will support the delivery of an industry-wide workplan to boost equality, diversity and inclusion within the Scotch Whisky industry. The Scotch Whisky Diversity & Inclusivity Charter, which was unveiled by the SWA in autumn 2020, includes targets to help Scotch Whisky companies to actively welcome and include people from all backgrounds who want to build a career in the sector.

The creation of the focus group is one way in which the Scotch Whisky industry is collaborating to achieve the commitments in the Charter. It is hoped that the group will support the delivery of a wider workplan to ensure the industry moves forward together in improving diversity, equality and inclusivity in Scotch Whisky at all levels, by improving education, recruitment practices and stakeholder engagement.

Kirsty Summers, Head of Workforce and Skills at the SWA, said: “The creation of this new focus group is great step forward, and reflects the commitment of the Scotch Whisky industry to put equality, diversity and inclusivity matters to the forefront of our planning. Scotch Whisky is for everyone, and our member companies are keen to ensure that this is reflected in their policies and practices to attract and retain a talented workforce, in Scotland and around the world. We look forward to working with SWA members to embed the initiatives set out in the Scotch Whisky Diversity and Inclusivity Charter.”


>> Read our blog post from SWA Chief Executive Karen Betts in 2020, following the launch of the industry's Diversity and Inclusivity Charter