Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026: championing our female commercial leaders

This year, Diageo has been celebrating some of our incredible female employees, and we are specifically spotlighting our women in commercial roles and those involved in the partnerships with our customers. Those are our pubs, bars, restaurants, retailers and other venues and distribution networks around the world.

In fiscal 2025, women accounted for 42% of all Sales appointments, an increase from 10 years ago, which was at 30%. At the entry level, 46% of Sales hires were women. While there is sustained commitment, we are committed to accelerating development, progression and retention.

Through our 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) theme ‘Strengthening Access to Opportunities and Equality for All’ we are initiating and encouraging open and honest conversations around inclusive leadership. Many of our 18 Spirited Women Network employee resource groups are running sessions around the world throughout March, from hosting panels and female bartender talks, to a charity walk and discussions on health and wellbeing.

Hearing from our commercial leaders

We have also hosted a global panel, with Paula Lindenberg, Managing Director for Diageo Brazil; Filipa Garcia, CEO and Chair of Garcias Wines and Spirits (one of our largest distributors in Portugal); and Rachel Toner, Commercial Leader and Spirited Women Network Chair, Diageo Great Britain. Our Chief HR Officer, Louise Prashad, moderated the discussion. These female leaders shared personal experiences from their own work in both the on and off-trade, from learnings to successes, all while helping to amplify the voices of women across the industry.

More widely, colleagues and commercial leaders spoke freely about access to opportunities, building self-esteem and overcoming barriers in a career space that has historically been underrepresented for women. They discussed how these roles are crucial in driving growth.

When I think about strengthening access, I think about exposure. It’s access to customers...in commercial roles, being visible and trusted makes a real difference. What helped me was having sponsors who opened doors when it mattered the most. It gave me the visibility I needed to prove my commercial impact.”

Ujunwa Chukwumah

Commercial Director, Nigeria

Later this month, employees also have the opportunity to learn more about World Class, Diageo’s annual cocktail competition, on a virtual call, and hear stories from female bartenders first-hand about what a career in hospitality entails, and the opportunities and challenges they face in a traditionally male-led industry.

Learning for Life

We are also taking a moment to recognise the impact of Diageo’s business and hospitality skills programme, Learning for Life. Since 2008, Learning for Life has reached nearly 280,000 people across 34 countries. And since 2020, women have made up over 50% of the beneficiaries. We heard from Learning for Life graduates, Oumie and Luana, about how the programme has given them the skills and confidence needed to work in the hospitality sector, as well as stories from our own Paula Lindenberg.

Learning for Life not only helps those who may have faced overcoming barriers to employment but also supports a thriving hospitality sector. By strengthening access for women, the programme helps to build a more diverse and resilient hospitality workforce – an essential foundation for social equality and industry success. 89% of graduates say that the programme increased their confidence to apply for and secure jobs.

How we’re building a more diverse hospitality workforce | International Women’s Day 2026

Diageo is marking International Women’s Day 2026 with the theme of Strengthening Access to Opportunities and Equality for All. Hear Oumie and Luana’s stories as beneficiaries of the Learning for Life programme.

Diverse and inclusive perspectives

At Diageo, we believe diverse and inclusive perspectives can result in better decisions, build stronger relationships with our customers and create commercial success. We are committed to strengthening female access throughout our entire business, at all levels, including supermarkets, venues, pubs and bars.