“Inspiring and invaluable” support boosts Women in Wholesale

The support of 20 suppliers and service providers from across the sector have been pivotal in an expanded Women in Wholesale (WiW) programme for 2022.

Investment from a wide breadth of businesses has helped to not only keep the programme running during the Covid-19 pandemic, but help it extend into an array of new initiatives, such as Breakfast Briefings and mental health training.

And WiW founder Elit Rowland paid homage to the support the diversity movement has received.

“It’s an incredible commitment to equality in the wholesale channel and this level of support has helped us to offer even more content and new initiatives, which are truly helping to promote diversity and wellbeing in wholesale,” Rowland said.

Among the sponsors for 2021’s programme are wholesalers Unitas, Bestway, Costco, JJ Foodservice and Sugro, with a host of big-name brands beneath that – as well as service providers Lumina Intelligence, TWC and b2b.store.

One of the newer sponsors, Mars Wrigley, say it was a cause they wanted to get behind.

“At Mars we’re passionate about driving the diversity and inclusion agenda. Women in Wholesale gives us an opportunity to help females within the industry to learn and grow, as well as networking with other like minded individuals,” said Mars Wrigley’s Customer Development Head – Wholesale, Julia Saxton.

“I hope our sponsorship will allow individuals to participate in the WIW events and to help progress their careers in wholesale.”

The next WiW event is its second Breakfast Briefing on 8 July, which is themed on Making a Difference to Your Company Culture – and will be headed up by another supporter, Boost Drinks and their People & Culture Director, Eleanor Gooding.

“WiW is a great programme and many of our team have attended over recent years,” said Gooding.

“We want all of our people to thrive, and WiW helps our women, and women in the industry, to grow their profiles, strengthen their skills and network. The events promote understanding, collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and best practices and we are proud to be a sponsor this year.”

Boost Drinks Breakfast Briefings Eleanor Gooding Elit Rowland Julia Saxton Mars Wrigley WiW Women in Wholesale