Bibendum Wine partners with Be Inclusive Hospitality

While there is an abundance of diversity in the hospitality industry, we don't always see this reflected in influential roles and the supply chain. Hospitality veteran, Lorraine Copes, identified this problem in 2020 and was impelled to address this disparity and bring positive change. Thus, Be Inclusive Hospitality was born, with the mission to advance racial equity within the Hospitality, Food & Drinks industries. 

We are proud to launch our year-long partnership with Be Inclusive Hospitality, to foster a fairer and more inclusive hospitality industry. This collaboration entails a series of initiatives and events that aim to create opportunities for education, impactful networking, and recognition. We kicked the partnership off in March with the inaugural Changemakers evening - a new networking series dedicated to sparking industry discussions on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). We also launched our Thrive in Wine programme; a scholarship programme to offer wine education and subsequent career advancement to hospitality professionals. 

Changemakers

 More and more companies want to bring equity, diversity and inclusion to their workplace, but the challenge remains as to how to make it more than a box ticking exercise and to rather bring real change. The topic of EDI has become somewhat contentious, with mixed messages on its efficacy and impact. 

The Changemakers series tackles this head on, bringing together top voices in the industry to share their thoughts and lived experiences navigating this space. The most recent event included speeches from Fernanda Pereira Dias Antonio, People & Culture Director of Caravan Restaurants; Craig Prentice, Founder of Share with Mum recruitment; and Gina Knight, Head of People at Flat Iron. Each brought their unique perspectives and shared their earnest and heartfelt opinions on how workplaces can realistically address these complex challenges. 

Thrive in Wine 

Once you enter the wine world, you immediately become aware of the endless career opportunities it offers. From crafting wine lists as a sommelier, to buying and importing wines from across the globe, a job in the trade is rarely boring. Wine education is often the key to unlocking one of these enviable careers. 

That is why we're sponsoring the relaunch of Thrive in Wine, an initiative originally launched by Be Inclusive Hospitality in 2022, to make these career prospects a reality for more people.

Applications are now open for 10 places to study WSET Level 2 or 3 with our IWSC award-winning wine training team. These qualifications are available for ethnically diverse individuals pursuing careers in wine or working in hospitality with a strong interest in the field. Applications close on 14th April 2025, with courses commencing in June 2025. 

BIH Spotlight Awards

We are also proud to sponsor and help to judge the BIH Spotlight Awards on Monday 13th October 2025. This awards programme was established to celebrate and recognise outstanding talent and achievement among ethnically diverse professionals working in the hospitality, food and drink industries.