Founded in 2017, 2024 is something of a ‘pause and review’ year for Women On Tap CIC, as new reports have revealed alarming new evidence on the current situation with women in the beer industry.
The new Dea Latis Gender Pint Gap: Revisited report — released in May — presents evidence that the gender gap in beer is as huge as ever, and the latest annual SIBA report notes that there has yet again been “no overall increase in the number of workers identifying as female in the independent beer industry”.
These new facts and related anecdotes have triggered a period of reflection for the social enterprise. The aim is to now look specifically at three key areas:
- Financial resilience to do more and forward plan with confidence
- Developing impact frameworks
- Maximising available resource to amplify the mission
With this in mind, a new advisory board (pictured above) has been appointed. This is initially for a short-term period from next month until January 2025, when the board will work through a review process and develop new plans for the next three years of Women On Tap CIC.
Women On Tap founder, Rachel Auty, said: “We had an amazing response to our call-out for advisory board members and we had to make some tough decisions.
“We’ve now selected a group from within and beyond the beer industry, bringing together a range of specialisms and backgrounds, perspectives and interests, and people who are at differing stages in their careers.
“We recognise that further boosting the diversity of our engagement is crucial, and with DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) expertise on the board and access to broad and extensive networks, we are in a strong position to have this high on the agenda in our forward-looking discussions.
“At the end of the day, we have to focus on impact. As a social enterprise and community interest company committed to influencing a better world for women — and at a time when progress is stalling — we must reflect on how we can be most effective with the resources we have and find a bigger voice that reaches more people to enact change.”
The Women on Tap Advisory Board members
Karen Bosher, portfolio non-executive director and board advisor, European Diversity Champion 2022
Karen was on the executive board at Greene King for ten years. She has a long history of developing and nurturing the role of women in pubs, brewing, and sport , which led to being awarded European Diversity Champion. She has been recognised twice by The Guardian as a Powerlist Ally. A passionate advocate for the beer industry, she is often a public speaker at industry events for the role women can and should play in developing our rich culture around beer and pubs as socially relevant and important. She now enjoys life as a portfolio director, currently working with four bar and pub companies.
Amanda Bruns, founder/chaos coordinator, Ale Advised
Amanda is a craft beverages consultant, specialising in craft beer. Coming from an educational background of relationship theory and social work, she believes in a people-first approach in all she does. She has a particular passion for learning, leading her to earn the title of certified cicerone, and believes in giving back, serving on the DEIJ (Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, and Justice) committee for Pink Boots Society, and as the volunteer marketing director for the Women’s Craft Fermentation Alliance, among other positions.
Ellie Buck, packaging manager at Saltaire Brewery
Ellie was the first non-office-based female member of staff that Saltaire Brewery hired and has been instrumental in getting the team to a 50/50 gender-split — fairly unusual if not unique in the beer industry. A graduate in theoretical physics, Ellie has worked in the brewing industry for the past five years.
Jennifer Easton, marketing executive at Flourish Marketing Ltd; recent masters graduate in international marketing with consumer psychology at Heriot-Watt; undergraduate in business management
Although in the early stages of her career, Jennifer is motivated to advocate for women in the brewing industry and use her voice for younger generations to come. With a background in marketing and a passion for branding, she is hoping to help raise awareness and shape a new future for beer that has many women in it.
Amy Edgar, customer diversity and inclusion specialist, Transport for London
Amy is dedicated to fostering equitable environments for all. Living on the Essex coast, in Southend, she finds joy in sea swims and embraces an active lifestyle. Beyond her professional pursuits, she is an avid runner and yoga teacher. Her year away from the corporate world in the craft beer industry deepened her appreciation for local breweries and knowledge of craft beer.
Laura Emson, CAMRA national director for people and awards
Laura fell in love with beer at university and before long the pull of volunteering was too strong to resist. Her involvement in CAMRA grew through beer festivals alongside her people-focused career in the NHS. A strong voice for inclusion and a focus on creating a positive experience for everyone in CAMRA, she is excited to combine her role as people director with her work on the advisory board.
Erin Fleming, people analytics and insights manager, KingMakers
On the professional side, Erin is a people analytics manager with more than ten years of varied human resources experience in the non-profit, technology, and consumer sectors. Her expertise includes data analysis, visualisation, and storytelling around team engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion, talent retention, performance and productivity, and recruitment. She has informally advised several impact-driven businesses, specifically on HR projects.
Erin is from the US, but has loved living in the UK for the past five years. She loves beer and the pub culture in London.
Laura Mackie, non-executive director at SIBA
Having spent more than 20 years in the brewing industry, primarily in senior finance, sales, and marketing roles, Laura is also heavily involved in the adult social care sector and, as a chartered banker, is also a financial services non-executive director.
Joan O’Connor, EMEA head of brand and corporate communications/sustainability at Subway International; former EMEA/European PR and communications director at The Coca-Cola Company
Joan has more than 30 years of expertise in marketing, brand management, and corporate communications for global brands. Her extensive experience includes both in-house and agency roles, specialising in food and beverages, FMCG, retail, sports, music, and asset management. Joan is passionate about understanding how culture and consumer trends shape brands and organisations. An advocate for positive societal change, Joan has consistently delivered memorable campaigns and built strong stakeholder relationships. As an ambassador for Women In PR and former chair of the PRCA consumer committee, she continues to influence the industry and share insights on consumer and brand PR issues.
Annabel Smith, award-winning beer sommelier, educator, writer, and broadcaster
Having managed several renowned cask ale pubs for 12 years, Annabel worked as a trainer for Guinness before becoming the first female beer inspector for the Cask Marque Trust. In 2012, she became one of the first cohort of beer sommeliers to be accredited by the Beer & Cider Academy. In 2014 she founded BeerBelle, a company specialising in designing and delivering bespoke beer training courses and events for a wide range of clients. In 2017 she won the Imbibe educator of theyear award. In 2018 she was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group for services to the beer industry and is a former director of the British Guild of Beer Writers. She is the founder member of Dea Latis, an organisation which educates women about beer, and conducts research into female behaviours, attitudes and opinions about beer.
Catherine Webber, business development ,anager, Attic Brew Co, and founder of Brum Beer Babs
Catherine has been the business development manager at Attic Brew Co, in Birmingham, for the last two and a half years. She’s worked in various roles in the drinks world since 2019 and prior to that she worked for Mondelez International (better known here as Cadbury’s) in food safety, quality, and training. Outside of work she is the founder of ladies beer group Brum Beer Babs and annual beer festival Brum Brew Fest.
