Sponsored article: Celebrating influential women across the drinks industry
Stacy Campbell
Managing Director at McKee Campbell Morrison Solicitors
How long have you been in the industry?
While I’m not an operator, I’ve worked alongside the licensed trade for over 21 years as a solicitor. Over that time, I’ve supported a wide range of clients across pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and leisure businesses throughout Scotland.
The work has given me a clear understanding of how the sector operates, and the real-world challenges people are dealing with behind the scenes.
What is the best thing about working in the licensed trade?
Without doubt, it’s the people. The licensed trade is full of entrepreneurs who are passionate, resilient and incredibly committed to their businesses and communities.
As a solicitor, much of my role involves helping clients through important stages – opening a first venue, expanding a group, or successfully selling a business someone has spent years building. Being trusted to guide clients through those milestones is something I genuinely enjoy.
What challenges have you faced as a woman working in the industry?
It’s no secret that both the legal profession and the licensed trade have long been male-dominated, which influences everything from who is represented in senior roles to how professional networks are built.
That brings a familiar set of challenges: under-representation, entrenched stereotypes, limited access to established networks, and workplace cultures that haven’t always been fully inclusive or equitable.
Progress is being made, but these challenges must continue to be discussed openly and addressed practically if the industry is to become genuinely inclusive.
Who have been the most influential mentors in your career so far, and what did you learn from them?
Lindsay Kennedy was the first law firm partner I worked with as a trainee solicitor and she shaped the beginning of my career in ways I still feel today. A hugely talented lawyer, she combined a razor-sharp legal mind with a kind and generous spirit – and a beautifully wicked sense of humour.
At a time when I was still finding my footing, Lindsay gave me confidence I didn’t yet have in myself. Her belief in me was steady, sincere, and transformative.
Lindsay sadly passed away in 2015, and I miss her greatly, but the encouragement she offered in those early years continues to guide me in how I work, lead and support others.
Vicki Provan, another partner I worked for, built on that early grounding. She taught me commerciality – how to understand the wider context, focus on what really matters to clients and apply legal skills in a practical, business-minded way.
Both women, who will be known to many in the licensed trade, influenced different stages of my development and I’m very aware of how fortunate I was to learn from them.
What advice would you give a young woman starting out in hospitality in 2026?
Learn the basics well, ask questions, and build a network you can rely on. Hospitality is fast-moving and demanding but understanding both the operational and commercial sides will give you a strong footing.
Seek out people you trust – whether they’re advisers, colleagues or managers – and learn from their experience. The industry benefits from a mix of perspectives, so remember that your own view and contribution genuinely matter.
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