North South Wines on leadership, mental health and advancing safety and inclusion in the drinks industry

Real progress on safety and inclusion in the drinks industry happens when organisations move beyond intent and into action. Through our Drinks United partner features, we spotlight how leaders across the sector are strengthening safeguarding, supporting wellbeing and embedding equity into everyday practice.

In this feature, North South Wines shares how leadership, mental health initiatives and a people-first mindset are helping to create a more inclusive and sustainable wine industry.

“If we want the wine world to thrive, it has to be a place where people actually feel safe and welcome.”

What inspired your organisation to support Drinks United and its mission?

For me, it’s about acknowledging that we can’t fix the industry’s old school reputation if we all stay in our own little bubbles. I’ve always believed that if we want the wine world to thrive, it has to be a place where people actually feel safe and welcome. We joined Drinks United because we want to be part of the solution, not just someone watching from the sidelines. It’s about making sure our trade is a modern, respectful place to work so we don’t lose incredible talent to other industries just because they don’t feel they fit the traditional mold.

Can you share one example of how your organisation is creating a safer, more inclusive, or more supportive workplace?

We try to lead with a genuine "people first" mindset. It’s not just about having a handbook on a shelf; it’s about the day to day. We check in with our team constantly through, manager check ins and our annual surveys to hear how they’re actually doing, and we always aim to act on what they tell us. We’ve also leaned heavily into mental health support through our charity partnerships, we have six mental health first aider trained team members, with another two undergoing training this year. Whether it’s providing flexibility for family life or just making sure people have someone to talk to, the goal is to ensure no one feels they have to hide who they are when they come to work.

What’s been your most meaningful DEI initiative or learning in the past year?

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that inclusion isn’t a job done box you tick; it’s a constant practice. It’s not just about who you hire, but how those people feel once they’re in the room. This is even more important as the business is still growing, and new people are coming onboard. A real standout for us was our "NSW 5000" charity challenge we just completed in March for the charities Restore & The Drinks Trust. It wasn’t just about the fundraising; it was about the team coming together and being open about mental health and building better relationships with each other. It was a great reminder to me that building a supportive culture happens much faster through shared experiences, and dedicated time, something that can be lost in the busy day to day.

How are your leaders helping drive change around DEI and safeguarding?

For us, it’s about moving away from the "way it’s always been done" because North South Wines was intentionally set up to be different. I make it a point to be vocal in industry forums and panels, not just to highlight our successes, but to actively challenge the status quo. That mindset is reflected in our leadership: success isn’t just about hitting sales targets; it’s about empathy and being accountable to one another. As a leadership team, we have to be sponges, ready to listen and act on feedback. It’s about being visible and showing the team that these values start at the top, while staying humble enough to know we still have blind spots to work on.

“Inclusion isn’t a job done box you tick; it’s a constant practice.”

What advice would you give to another organisation starting their DEI journey?

Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t have all the answers yet. My motto is "every day is a school day," and that’s the best way to approach this. Start by listening to your own team. Ask them what’s working and what isn’t. You don’t have to be perfect from day one, but you do have to be honest and intentional. Find a framework that works for you, like we did with B Corp, and just take that first step.

What’s next for your organisation on its DEI journey - and how can we support or learn from each other?

We’re looking to go deeper. That means moving beyond one-off events and initiatives to ensure inclusivity is woven into every process and business touchpoint . It’s not easy, especially when recruiting for specific roles but it’s vital that, as we continue to grow, DEI is integrated into what we do. As part of this, I want to keep sharing what we’ve learned, including the mistakes, so other businesses can skip the hurdles we’ve already cleared. If we’re radically transparent with each other, we can help build a more inclusive wine industry together, so it finally reflects the diverse world of people who actually enjoy our products.

North South Wines’ approach demonstrates that advancing safety and inclusion in the drinks industry starts with leadership, honesty and everyday action. By prioritising mental health, listening to their team and embedding a people-first culture, they show how growing businesses can help reshape the industry.

If your organisation is ready to help raise standards and build a safer, more inclusive drinks industry, we invite you to join the growing community of partners working together through Drinks United.

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Kim Wilson

Founder and Managing Director, North South Wines

Kim Wilson is the founder and managing director of North South Wines, one of the fastest-growing wine distribution businesses in the UK. Her career began at 18 in a high-energy "stop-gap" sales role that revealed a natural commercial flair, driving her rise through the beer and wine industries. In 2014, she co-founded North South Wines, which has since become the first UK wine distributor to achieve B Corp certification and grown to a £40m turnover. Kim’s leadership has earned industry accolades, ranging from The Drinks Business Young Achiever of the Year (2013) to Woman of the Year (2024), and the company was named IWC Medium Agent of the Year in 2025. Today, Kim sits on the WSTA Board, actively mentors the next generation of industry talent, and is a vocal advocate of using business as a force for good.

Learn more about North South Wines:

Instagram: @northsouthwines_uk

LinkedIn: @north-south-wines-uk

Facebook: @northsouthwines