The Drinks Trust has partnered with the Equal Measures initiative to give people from marginalised groups greater equity within the industry.
The initiative, which was originally founded by co-owner of Hacha Bar Deano Moncrieffe, aims to help enrich possibilities for those from Black, Asian, and other minority ethnicities, as well as “other marginalised groups, such as queer and gender queer persons, those who are neurodivergent, or who face systemic barriers to their progression” according to the Trust.
Equal Measures has been created to offer up new educational opportunities that lead to personal growth alongside education and project partner and founder of The Mixing Class Hannah Lanfear and its partnership with The Drinks Trust.
As part of the tie-up, The Drinks Trust will offer educational courses and mentoring to individuals, as well as supporting businesses to improve their internal practices.
Moncrieffe said: “I am proud to announce this exciting partnership with The Drinks Trust. We have a shared vision of how we can support individuals, groups, communities and companies who understand the importance of diversity, inclusion and equality in our industry. Most importantly for me, The Drinks Trust understands just how much work still needs to be done to improve many areas of our industry and together we believe we can create positive long-lasting change. Alongside Hannah Lanfear and The Drinks Trust I feel Equal Measures is now able to offer tangible levels of support to a wider cross section than would’ve been possible without these two key partnerships.”
Lanfear agreed: “Working with the Drinks Trust gives us a fantastic opportunity to widen the scope and ability of this grass roots project, generating positive change and an enduring sense of community, the country over.”
Ross Carter, CEO of The Drinks Trust, added: “Now is the time to act as an industry and we would call on all businesses to support this initiative through funding and participation”.
Equal Measures aims to challenge existing hiring practises and build awareness of obstacles for marginalised groups and collaborate with the industry to resolve existing biases. The Equal Measures Education and Mentorship Programme is available to anyone who works in the cocktail and spirits industry. Participants will be given the opportunity to bolster their CV with fantastic industry relevant courses, WSET Spirits Level 2 & Level 3, delivered by the world’s leading independent supplier of WSET Spirits education, and Equal Measures Education Partner, The Mixing Class.
According to the Trust, they will also be twinned with a leading industry figure, who will take a vested interest in their professional development and offer mentorship for a minimum of three months. Each quarter, 30 candidates will be admitted to the initiative from around the UK.
In 2022, Equal Measures is set to expand to launch The Equal Measures Outreach Program in several cities within the UK, designed at bringing young people from marginalised communities into the cocktail and spirits trade, arming them with the education and skills needed to flourish within hospitality. Next year will also see the lift-off of a series of ‘Community Days’ hosted by the all new Hacha Brixton which have been designed to bring together the drinks community in allyship, and will feature a host of topics, sponsors, and collaborators who will gather to celebrate diverse voices, and offer a network of support to those from marginalised groups.
The Drinks Trust has reminded: “For businesses who want to better their internal practices when it comes to diversity and inclusion, it offers a range of advice and support on best practises, and education for their teams to ensure the workplace is inclusive and equitable for all.”
