"Across the food and drink industry there are extraordinary women shaping businesses, leading teams, launching brands and creating meaningful change. Yet many of their stories are still not told loudly enough. Initiatives like the Women in Food & Drink Awards are so important because they shine a light on those contributions and give the recognition they truly deserve. Through my work with Raising the Glass, I see every day the depth of talent, resilience and innovation women bring to this industry. When we celebrate those achievements publicly, it doesn’t just recognise individuals. It inspires others, builds confidence and helps create a more inclusive future for the sector. I would encourage everyone across food and drink to take the time to nominate the brilliant women in their networks. Recognition matters, and programmes like this help ensure the next generation can see what is possible in our amazing industry."
Rebecca Oliver-Mooney (ROM) is founder of Raising the Glass, a movement championing equity and opportunity across the drinks industry through its podcast, events and mentoring initiatives. With over 20 years’ experience in FMCG, including senior leadership roles at Co-op, Hip Pop, Nestle, Mars, Kellogg's, Muller and Biotiful, ROM is also a non-executive director of Exchange for Change and founded Rewrite the Story in 2019. A passionate advocate for inclusion and allyship, she is driven by a simple belief: the drinks industry, like the world her daughters are growing up in, should be one where everyone has the chance to thrive. Often described as having the “ROM effect”, she is known for turning ideas into movements that bring people together and create meaningful industry change.
