Sponsored article: Celebrating influential women across the drinks industry

Gillian Murray

Wine and Spirit Trade Association board member & Director of Commercial Procurement for Tennent’s Scotland 

How long have you worked in hospitality and how did you get into the industry? 

I’ve worked in beer, wine and spirits for over 25 years now. I started as a trainee buyer after finishing an economics degree at university and had worked in pubs while I was studying for my degree

What is the best thing about working in hospitality?  

The pace at which it moves is always exciting. Everybody wants to be the best, and the increased competitiveness can only be a good thing. There’s a passion in it which is unrivalled.

What challenges have you faced as a woman working in the industry?  

When I joined the industry there was a severe lack of female role models within wholesale and hospitality, and if you can’t see it, it’s harder to visualise yourself in that role. This combined with networking events that can sometimes exclude rather than include (e.g. golf) means it can be harder to raise your profile while others are able to.

Who have been the most influential mentors in your career so far, and what did you learn from them?  

I was talking to someone the other day about this and the fact than management and leadership are two different skill sets. Leadership is inspirational and really gives you the motivation to drive forward and the belief that you can do it.

I wouldn’t be where I am in my career if I didn’t have the mentorship at different stages from Brian Calder, Clara Shand and Andrea Pozzi to name three people. There are also multiple figures, especially within the Scottish hospitality industry, that I have admired and learnt from as I’ve grown up in this sector.

What advice would you give a young woman starting out in hospitality in 2026? 

Two key things from me. Firstly, your reputation is important, protect it at all times and don’t compromise if someone else’s standards don’t match yours.

Secondly, just because a role doesn’t exist doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t, businesses need to pivot and require people with vision to get them there, so put forward proposals that help shape the future.