We’re delighted that our Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) Manager Siwan Smith is working closely with the D&I in Grocery LIVE! Steering Group.
Siwan, who is based in our Liverpool Head Office and is responsible for driving our I&D strategy forward, is Co-Chair of the Steering Group, alongside Jack Cummings from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc.
Grocery LIVE! Is the flagship diversity and inclusion event for the UK grocery sector and is managed by industry charity GroceryAid.
Siwan said: “The Steering Committee helps to shape the direction, content and impact of Diversity & Inclusion in Grocery LIVE! Bringing together representatives from across the grocery sector, the committee provides insight, challenge and guidance to ensure the event remains relevant, engaging and focused on the issues that matter most to colleagues and businesses.
“As Co-Chair, my role is to facilitate discussions, encourage collaboration and ensure a diverse range of voices and perspectives are reflected in the event programme. Working alongside fellow committee members, we help identify emerging trends, key challenges and best practice across inclusion, diversity and belonging, translating these into meaningful content for attendees.
“The committee also plays a critical role in shaping speaker line-ups, influencing themes and topics, and ensuring that conversations move beyond awareness to practical action. By drawing on real experiences from across the industry, we strive to create an event that not only inspires but equips organisations with the tools, insights and connections needed to drive positive change.
“Ultimately, the Steering Committee helps ensure Diversity in Grocery LIVE! remains a credible, collaborative and impactful event, bringing together colleagues, leaders and organisations to learn from one another and collectively advance inclusion across the grocery industry.”
The annual event is hosted by TV personality Steph McGovern in London and brings together more than 1,000 colleagues from across the grocery industry to learn, collaborate and share best practice on inclusion, diversity and belonging.
The event provides a unique opportunity for retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and industry partners to come together and explore the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. There are also break-out sessions hosted by big names including Tesco, Asda, Nestle, Mars, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners plc, Sainsburys and Co-op.
Each year, attendees hear from the event’s partner organisations, thought leaders and industry experts through a combination of keynote presentations, inspiring personal stories, panel discussions, Live Labs and Action Workshops.
The sessions are designed to challenge thinking, share practical insights and inspire action, helping organisations create more inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive. The event also provides an opportunity to collaborate with other organisations to solve a key industry challenge, alongside valuable networking opportunities, enabling individuals and businesses to build connections and collaborate on driving positive change across the industry.
Princes has been actively contributing on the Steering committee to Diversity in Grocery LIVE! for more than three years, sharing practical insights and facilitating conversations that support greater inclusion across the grocery industry.
Over recent years, Princes has hosted a number of Action Workshops, including a session on Sunflower Rooms and a workshop focused on the Worker Protection Act. These sessions provided attendees with practical tools, insights and examples of how organisations can create more inclusive and supportive workplace environments. Siwan has also participated in a panel discussion, sharing perspectives on the role organisations can play in driving meaningful progress on inclusion and belonging, and looking to the future of work.
The work doesn’t stop when the annual event closes. Insights and findings gained from the event are shared on the DIG Partner Hub, with more activity expected to develop toolkits, resources and working groups to drive momentum forward and create change within our industry.
Siwan has further extended Princes’ contribution by facilitating a follow-on Topic Hack Live Lab session focused on AI, Automation and Fairness. This brought together industry colleagues to explore both the opportunities and potential risks associated with emerging technologies, encouraging discussion on how organisations can embed fairness and inclusion into the future of work. She’s expecting to join a working group on this soon.
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