Women In Wholesale

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WiW is an educational networking programme designed to inspire, support and develop women of all levels working in UK grocery and foodservice wholesale.

Due to the ongoing COVID19 situation, we are inspiring and supporting via vlogs and webinars.

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Why are we organising Women in Wholesale?

1. A healthy mix of men and women is better for business

The Government has set a target of having 33% female representation on FTSE 350 boards by 2020. Women account for 47% of people working in wholesale but only an estimated 11% are senior level managers and directors presenting great opportunities for women currently working in the sector.

According to our independent research, 100% of women in wholesale believe that gender diversity leads to better business. 63% said businesses are not doing enough to achieve gender balance at the top

2. Wholesalers need support with personal career development

According to our independent research, 51% of women working in wholesale need support with personal career development. This event creates a focused, educational environment that supports, nurtures and develops our talent.

3. We need to make wholesale more attractive

There is a lot of work currently being done within our sector to make wholesale an attractive long-term career choice. Highlighting our best women is a constructive way to make the industry more appealing to a greater diversity of talent.

4. Inspire and educate newcomers

This event is not just for senior women in wholesale – it is a valuable chance for newcomers to the industry to build knowledge, meet key industry people and realise the great opportunities available in wholesale.

WiW Speed Mentoring 2019

Who should come?

Wholesalers, manufacturers and anyone else working within the channel that wants to network, build knowledge, be inspired and energise their career. A male proprietor or manager from each company can accompany female delegates.

Three reasons to attend

Develop your career: pick up key management, leadership, sales and marketing skills with our line-up of award-winning wholesalers and industry experts.

Inspire and educate newcomers: make this part of your induction programme for new recruits. It’s the perfect place to build knowledge and meet key people.

Be part of something brilliant: This is the only event of its kind in our sector – make sure your face and your business are seen!

Women in Wholesale videos

Last year a survey found one in 10 women quit their jobs due to menopausal symptoms. Get ready to explore the impact of menopause on productivity and engagement. Gain actionable insights to enhance workplace inclusivity, retain talent, and prioritise employee well-being. Key Speakers: Kathy Abernethy, Founding Clinician at Peppy & Molly Wilmot, Head of Sales at Peppy with session host, Elit Rowland, Head of Communications at JJ Foodservice and WiW Founder. Kathy Abernethy, Founding Clinician at Peppy, is a highly qualified and experienced menopause specialist. She holds the roles of a founding member, current Trustee, and former Chair of the British Menopause Society (BMS). Additionally, she serves as a clinical member on the NHS NICE Guideline committee for menopause and is the author of the book 'Menopause: The One Stop Guide.'
Understanding Menopause in the Workplace – WiW Breakfast Briefing
YouTube Video UCb4Q8i4X9kh_PNZydRvb2eQ_ngkk7pOprkk
Speaker: Ruth Fawcett, Associate Director of Wholesale and Convenience at Coca Cola Europacific Partners Ruth, a seasoned professional with 19 years of experience at Coca Cola, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in working with the UK's largest wholesalers and retailers. With over ten promotions throughout her career, Ruth has honed her skills in leading teams and achieving successful results consistently. In this session, she shares her insights on how to effectively lead teams and gain their support, ensuring success in every endeavour. Ruth's extensive experience and expertise make her the ideal guide for anyone seeking to excel in team leadership within the fast-paced world of wholesale and retail.
Leading Teams – WiW Breakfast Briefing ft. Ruth Fawcett at Coca Cola Euro Pacific Partners
YouTube Video UCb4Q8i4X9kh_PNZydRvb2eQ_0Cd_kZtBgio
Speaker: Lana Bhikha, Joint Managing Director, Woods Foodservice Lana's journey at Woods Foodservice is inspiring. She began her career as an 'order taker' but through hard work and determination, she climbed the corporate ladder to become joint Managing Director. One of the key factors that contributed to her success is her open and honest approach to communication. Lana believes in transparent and direct communication, which has not only fostered trust among her colleagues but has also helped her build strong relationships with suppliers and customers. Lana's leadership tips are invaluable. She emphasises the importance of staying humble, never forgetting where you came from and appreciating the hard work of others. In this session, Lana highlights the importance of knowing how to approach feedback. She encourages leaders to be open to constructive criticism and to view it as an opportunity for growth and improvement. Woods Foodservice, with over 40 years of experience, is a leading supplier to various establishments in London, Manchester, Bristol, and Brighton. They cater to restaurants, hotels, gastropubs, caterers, and cafes, providing high-quality products and services.
Tips for Effective Feedback with Lana Bhikha – DiW Breakfast Briefing
YouTube Video UCb4Q8i4X9kh_PNZydRvb2eQ_tTfKM7UHav4
Ambitious business leader and entrepreneur, Simon Gray, Founder of Boost Energy Drinks, says that he has never had much ‘formal’ training on how to be a great leader. Despite this, Boost is leading the way with its approach to professional development and training, helping team members to be great allies to their colleagues. In this Diversity in Wholesale Allies session, Simon shares his personal story about the never ending lessons of leadership, offering what he’s learnt and advice for others. The session is hosted by Chris Tarquini, Senior Global Insights Manager at William Grant & Sons, and Women in Wholesale Steering Committee Member.
DiW Allies on Lessons in Leadership with Simon Gray, CEO, Boost Drinks
YouTube Video UCb4Q8i4X9kh_PNZydRvb2eQ_rtEwyZQVKiY
Tackling Organisational Change with Clare Bocking Change is a necessity of life and is inevitable in every organisation – however change is something that as humans we are programmed to find difficult. In this session, Clare will briefly talk through why this is, before focusing on tips to help you support yourself and lead others through organisational change.
Diversity in Wholesale Breakfast Briefing
YouTube Video UCb4Q8i4X9kh_PNZydRvb2eQ_6aaDzUVLSss
Trina Schofield, Founder of My Mighty Mind shares key learnings from her personal journey, and a simple and memorable framework to help others. Trina set up My Mighty Mind in 2018 to teach the science of resilience in a logical, simple and memorable way. The unique approach of starting with neuroscience means this is applicable to all ages and helps people normalise uncomfortable emotions, be able to understand and deal with stress and proactively manage their mindsets. This session covers: A Journey to Resilience and three key ways to build it Understand – An introduction to the science of how our brains work Challenge – How recognising your triggers helps take back control Choice – Consciously deciding to build resilience Contact Trina: mymightymind@hotmail.com
Women in Wholesale Breakfast Briefing - The Science of Resilience
YouTube Video UCb4Q8i4X9kh_PNZydRvb2eQ_JP14QhvA0Nc
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Women in Wholesale reports

WiW 2019 is kindly sponsored by

Coca-Cola logo
Bidfood Logo

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