Food and Drink Wholesale UK (FWD) has confirmed it will formally lead Women in Wholesale from January 2026, bringing the award-winning initiative fully into its Diversity in Wholesale programme.
Founded in 2015 by Elit Rowland, Women in Wholesale has been delivered in close partnership with FWD for the past five years.
Women in Wholesale is an educational networking programme designed to inspire, support and develop women of all levels working in UK grocery and foodservice wholesale.
During this time, FWD has fully funded the initiative and led its operational delivery, governance and events, working alongside Elit and the Women in Wholesale steering committee to ensure continuity and impact.
This move formalises the existing arrangement and secures the long-term future of Women in Wholesale, embedding it within FWD’s wider work to support leadership, wellbeing and progression across the wholesale sector.
Over the past decade, Women in Wholesale has delivered a range of highly regarded initiatives including Speed Mentoring, the Coaching Academy, and peer-support networks such as the Menopause Café and Wellness Group.
The transition was announced at the FWD Gold Medal Awards 2025, where Elit Rowland received a Special Recognition Award for her role in founding and shaping Women in Wholesale.
Elit Rowland said, “I am incredibly proud of what Women in Wholesale and the SteerCo have achieved over the past 10 years… This transition feels like a natural next step.”
James Bielby, CEO of Food & Drink Wholesale UK, added, “Women in Wholesale has been an important part of FWD’s work for several years… We are committed to building on the strong foundations already in place.”