Women in the Food Industry Co-Founder Mex Ibrahim Wins DEI Champion Award

We are delighted to announce that our co-founder, Mex Ibrahim, has been awarded the DEI Champion Award at this year’s Speciality & Fine Food Fair. This award recognises a business or individual that has championed diversity, equity and inclusion, transformed their operations, and made a lasting positive impact on the industry. Winners are selected by a panel of experts and ambassadors, not by nomination, making this recognition particularly meaningful.

Speaking about the award, our co-founder said:
“I’m deeply grateful to receive the DEI Champion Award from Speciality & Fine Food Fair as co-founder of Women In The Food Industry. This recognition will certainly inspire me and our community to continue pushing for greater equity, representation and opportunities for women to excel and lead in the food & drink industry. A huge thank you to the judges for shining a spotlight on the importance of this work and encouraging us all to do more.”

This honour is not just for us but for our whole community – the inspiring women and allies who continue to shape a more inclusive and representative food & drink sector.

Other winners of the awards included

Small Independent Retailer of the Year: Club Soda
Large Independent Retailer of the Year: Nourished Communities
New Product of the Year – UK: Two Farmers – 0.0% apple cider
New Product of the Year – International: Chimac – Kimchi Ketchup
‘Not Yet on the Shelf’ Award: Hevva! – Smoked Cornish Mackerel
Outstanding Industry Champion: Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones

Our co-founder also wanted the thank the inspiring women from  this year’s Women In The Food Industry, Speciality & Fine Food Fair panel – Women Shaping The Future of Drinks.  At this panel on 9th September we highlighted the bold ideas and leadership driving progress in the drinks world.

The panel were – Camille Vidal founder of the mindful drinking brand and creative consultancy La Maison Wellness.

Anna Chalov the Co-Founder of Bemuse Limited, a B Corp-certified company that produces innovative non-alcoholic sparkling wine alternatives made with honey and

Toni Osoba a passionate voice at the intersection of wine, culture, and community and Brand Ambassador for AMANDLA, a bold, Black female-founded and run wine brand.

In 45 minutes we covered a lot! The future of the no/low alcohol category, the premiumisation of drinks, the increase in mindful drinking, the new mid strength drinking category, how to develop storytelling and community to give people a new appreciation of drinks (and the pricing of them), the changing mindset of consumers, sustainability, health and much, much more

We would like to thank ALL the great women who make up our community and give each other strength, support and confidence at our regular in person networking events.