Brewers' Lectures 2025

On 26 February the Master Brewer, Professor Katherine Smart, delivered the annual Brewers’ Lectures to students at Dame Alice Owen’s and Aldenham Schools.

As Global Technical Director and Chief Scientist at international drinks business Diageo, the Master had many insights into the huge variety of careers that are on offer in the brewing industry. She drew the students’ attention to the areas in which companies may hire graduates, including: Corporate Relations, Digital and Technology, E-Commerce, Finance, Global Business Operations, Human Resources, Innovation, Legal, Marketing, Procurement, Sales, and Supply Chain and Manufacturing. 

The Master also took the opportunity to emphasise the work that Diageo is doing to ensure that they do business The Right Way. Including diversity and inclusion plans which, among other targets, aim to see 50% of leadership roles held by women by 2030, as well as extensive environmental innovations to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of their operations.

Hannah Nemko, Headteacher of Dame Alice Owen’s School said: “It was a fantastic opportunity for our young people to understand how many industries it takes to make a bottle of beer (or spirits!), I do not think that they had quite appreciated this before. Our students are incredibly environmentally conscious and they found the insights into the ways in which Diageo seeks to reduce carbon footprint and improve its sustainability particularly fascinating.”