Aidy Smith on Neurodiversity, Wine & Breaking Barriers

Unconscious Bias in Recruitment: How to Build More Diverse Teams

How can the drinks industry build more inclusive hiring practices? Welcome to The Tipple, Raising the Glass’ sister episode to the main podcast. Rom talks to Kayleigh Norcross, a recruitment and diversity specialist from the Advocate Group, a consumer product and FMCG recruitment agency. This conversation looks at how unconscious bias shapes hiring decisions and what organisations can do to create fairer, more inclusive recruitment processes. From the language used in job adverts to the way interviews are structured, Kayleigh tells us about the hidden barriers that can limit access to diverse talent, the common unconscious biases and why education is key to building stronger, more representative teams across FMCG and the drinks industry. Whether you're a hiring manager, recruiter, business leader, or job seeker, this episode offers actionable advice on recognising bias, widening talent pools, and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive. In This Episode • Why diversity and inclusion often look different in practice than on paper • How job briefs and job descriptions can unintentionally exclude diverse candidates • Understanding unconscious bias, including affinity bias and confirmation bias • The impact of gendered language and gender coding in recruitment • How interview processes can reinforce bias through first impressions and subjective feedback • Why "culture fit" can sometimes hinder diversity efforts • Advice for women looking to showcase their experience and confidence when applying for roles LINKS: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleigh-norcross-230664137/ https://www.advocate-group.co.uk/ https://raisingtheglass.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-oliver-mooney-65730614/ Podcast production by https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

Keeping the DE&I Beacon Lit: 2 Years of Diversity, Community Building, and Backing Yourself

We don’t know how we got here, but we’re so happy to celebrate Raising the Glass’ second birthday with you! If you’ve heard of us and are curious about what we do and what we stand for, or just want to celebrate with us, then this episode for you. Join Rom and Lottie Tregear as they look back on an incredible journey, with a bottle of bubbly. They reflect on the last two years, have big conversations about where DE&I is right now, how we navigate social and political divides, the impact we can all have on keeping that beacon lit, the people they’ve met along the way and the intent and purpose that continues to shape the drinks industry. They talk about the challenges they’ve faced along the way, and the vision for what comes next. Expect candid personal stories of growth, courage, and advocacy. Whether you’re passionate about inclusive leadership, community building, challenger brands, or creating meaningful change in the drinks industry, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and plenty of heartfelt moments. In This Episode • Celebrating two years of Raising the Glass and the impact in the drinks industry and beyond so far • Why connection and collaboration matter more than ever across the drinks industry • Recognising achievements, awards, and champions of diversity and inclusion • The importance of backing yourself • Navigating social and political divides while encouraging diversity of thought • The realities of sustaining momentum, energy, and purpose-driven initiatives • Future ambitions for Raising the Glass, from supporting challenger brands to expanding wider community impact • The role of mentorship, advocacy, and legacy in shaping the next generation • Personal reflections on resilience, purpose, and the networks that help us thrive LINKS https://www.linkedin.com/in/lotte-tregear-4a80543/ https://raisingtheglass.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-oliver-mooney-65730614/ Podcast production by https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

Untapped: How Women Are Changing the Food & Beverage Industry Through Collaboration

Welcome to a very special episode of Raising the Glass – The Tipple. Rom is joined by a special panel, recorded at one of our Untapped events. Joining her are Emma Heal, Miranda Ballard, and Ciara Cullen to explore the realities of building brands, navigating industry challenges as a woman, and creating better connections within the food and drink sectors. From scaling challenger brands and understanding consumer behaviour to navigating legal complexities and retail distribution, the conversation explores what it really takes to grow a business in a competitive landscape. They reflect on the importance of collaboration over competition, the power of authentic networking, why community plays such a vital role in supporting women founders, and the barriers women continue to face in industry spaces. In the episode Rom talks about a framework for measuring Social Value. The most widely adopted tool for this is the Social Value TOM (Themes, Outcomes, and Measures) System™, formerly known as the National TOMs.  Pour a long glass and enjoy. https://raisingtheglass.co.uk/ Emma Heal on LinkedIn Miranda Ballard on LinkedIn Ciara Cullen on LinkedIn Podcast production by Ginger Wizard Productions

Leading With Kindness: Lessons from Marnie Millard OBE

Rom sits down with Marnie Millard OBE to explore what leadership really looks like in today’s ever-changing world. From her early career in the food and beverage industry to her extensive board-level experience, Marnie shares the lessons that have shaped her approach to leadership. All of which are rooted in clarity, confidence, and compassion. Together, they reflect on navigating change, building resilient teams, and why kindness is not a soft skill, but a powerful leadership tool. There’s no escaping the fact that we live in uncertain times, and the conversation looks at the reality of this as a leader. Marnie talks about diversity at board level, the value of different perspectives, and the role leaders play in shaping culture through trust, flexibility, and empathy. In this episode, you’ll hear about: • Leading with confidence and clarity during times of change • Why kindness and compassion are essential leadership qualities • Building inclusive, diverse, and effective boards and teams • The importance of trust and flexibility in modern workplaces • Creating safe spaces that support wellbeing and growth • Lessons from a career spanning executive and non-executive roles • Reflecting on purpose, legacy, and meaningful impact Pour a long glass and enjoy. https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnie-jane-millard-obe-12841028/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-oliver-mooney-65730614/ Podcast production by https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/

Representations and Sales, the Power of Diversity in Product Ranges

Welcome to The Tipple! In this episode, ROM is joined by Lottie Tregear, Matt Bowler-Jones, and Emma Thackray for a conversation recorded live on stage at the International Food & Drink Event 2026. They talk about one of the most important, and often overlooked, drivers of growth in the drinks industry: diversity and representation. As consumer expectations evolve, inclusive product ranges are no longer just a cultural consideration, they’ve become a commercial one. This episode explores how brands can better reflect the communities they serve, and why doing so unlocks new opportunities for both innovation and growth. Drawing on real industry experience, the panel discusses the issues challenger brands face in gaining traction, the role of data in shaping more inclusive ranges, and how established players can do more to support meaningful change. From retail realities to shifting cultural influence, this conversation looks at what’s changing, what’s not moving fast enough, and what the industry needs to do next. Here’s what you’ll take away: • Why diversity and representation drive commercial growth • The data behind more inclusive product ranges • The barriers challenger brands face in retail • How accelerator programmes and initiatives are supporting underrepresented founders • Why subcultures are shaping the future of drinks innovation We hope you enjoy our little tipple. LINKS https://raisingtheglass.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmathackray/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lotte-tregear-4a80543/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-bowler-jones-19934982/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-oliver-mooney-65730614/ Podcast production by https://www.gingerwizard.co.uk/