From junior staff to business owners, women are at the heart of Scotland’s vibrant hospitality industry. To celebrate and inspire women of all levels in the trade, we hosted a brand new event: Women in Hospitality with SLTN.

Guests who attended enjoyed expertly-prepared welcome drinks courtesy of Hendrick’s Gin, before sitting down to a three-course lunch, with wines provided by Tennent’s and post-lunch cocktails from The Famous Grouse. 

We heard from four top speakers, who shared stories, expertise and strategies from their accomplished careers to help inspire the next generation of female business owners.

A passionate leader and mentor, Gillian has over 25 years of experience working in the drinks industry across Great Britain and Ireland. After originally joining the Tennent’s business in 2014, she is now Commercial Procurement Director at C&C Group, where she leads commercial strategy for the group’s route to market brands: Tennent’s, Matthew Clark, Bibendum, Tennent’s Northern Ireland and Bulmers. A board member of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), Gillian contributes widely to industry groups, having also served as a Board Member and Trustee for the Benevolent Society (Scotland) and supported organisations like the Scottish Tourism Alliance and HIT Scotland.

Having worked in world-class establishments in London, New York and LA, Julie founded The Adamson in St Andrews in 2012. Throughout her career she has been dedicated to helping women advance their careers – a philosophy she has put into practice at The Adamson and its sister venues. Last year Julie was named as one of the Top 10 Women to Watch in Scottish Business at the Business Women Scotland Awards.

Since opening Glasgow cocktail bar Daddy Marmalades in 2022, Kim and Mari have built a reputation as two of Scotland’s top bartenders. In Daddy Marmalades, they have created a bar that’s as fun and creative as it is inclusive, with accolades including SLTN Mixologist of the Year in 2024 and SLTN Cocktail Bar of the Year in 2025. Daddy Marmalades is currently the only Glasgow bar on the UK Top 50 Cocktail Bars list.