The Worshipful Company of Distillers is very pleased to introduce our representative on the Board of Trustees of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust: liveryman Georgie Bell.
WSET was founded in 1969 by The Vinters’ Company, The Wine and Spirits Trade Association, The Institute of Masters of Wine and The Worshipful Company of Distillers as a charitable organisation to support education in the drinks industry. Since then, each of the founding organisation has provided trustees to help guide the WSET. Georgie Bell took over the role in late 2024 from renter warden Kirsten Grant Meikle.
Georgie joins the board after more than a decade working in the whisky industry. She became a freeman in 2014, having achieved the highest grade in the Institute of Brewing and Distilling’s Diploma in Distilling, and became a liveryman in 2017. In the industry, she has been a global brand ambassador, travelling the world representing the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Diageo and Bacardi. Most recently, she is the co-founder of independent bottler The Heart Cut, which despite only being launched in Autumn 2023, has already been awarded worldwide Independent Bottler of The Year at the Icons of Whisky 2024 and Rest of World Independent Bottler in 2025.
When asked about her role as trustee, Georgie told us: “I’ve always valued drinks education. It’s had a significant role in shaping my career, and my WSET qualifications, particularly my Level 3 Award in Spirits, have been instrumental in this. Joining WSET’s Board of Trustees is a wonderful opportunity for me to give back and support others, as I’ve been supported.”
WSET CEO Michelle Brampton commented: “The Worshipful Company of Distillers plays an important and influential role in the drinks industry, and we deeply value our close relationship with them. Georgie’s diverse skills and rich experience at the cutting edge of the whisky industry will greatly enhance WSET’s work and help us to extend the reach of our spirits qualifications.”
For those interested in a bursary, applications open in both January and August each year, and you can find more details on the WSET website.
