The Distillers’ Company helps people develop careers in the spirits industry. Through education and mentoring they can gain knowledge, grow in confidence and meet people already in the trade.
Funding comes from The Distillers’ Charity, and we work with education partners. Formal study is paired with the experience of people in the trade. Members share knowledge through mentoring, seminars and first-hand accounts, so people entering the industry can learn from those already in it.
Cost should not prevent talented, committed people from developing their skills. Through our education partners, The Distillers’ Charity funds bursaries for recognised spirits qualifications. Scholarships and awards recognise achievement and support further study.
In 2025, 29 bursaries and scholarships were awarded. This included support for students studying WSET spirits qualifications and the CIBD General Certificate and Diploma in Distilling.
29
Bursaries and scholarships awarded in 2025
Almost 50
Active mentoring relationships by 2025
Three
Education partners supporting academic, technical and vocational routes
Our long-standing partnerships give students academic, technical and vocational routes into the industry.
Degree-level teaching, research and entrepreneurship at the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling in Edinburgh.
Explore Heriot-Watt and ICBD
Technical qualifications for people working at every stage of a distilling career.
Explore CIBD
Spirits qualifications at several levels, for people entering the trade or developing specialist knowledge.
Explore WSET
Our one-to-one mentoring programme matches people entering or developing a career in spirits with experienced members of the Livery. Mentors give practical advice and encouragement, and an independent view based on their own careers in the trade.
By 2025, the programme had grown to almost 50 active mentoring relationships, with members in the UK and overseas contributing their knowledge.
Seminars and recorded stories add commercial practice and first-hand experience of the spirits trade to formal study.
Company members meet students and emerging entrepreneurs for practical seminars on building products, brands and businesses.
Explore The Business of Spirits
First-hand accounts of people, businesses and ideas in the spirits trade. They are a resource for students, professionals and anyone interested in its history.
Watch Tales of the IndustryBursaries and scholarships, education partners, mentoring, and learning programmes beyond formal qualifications.
Funding from The Distillers’ Charity helps people access spirits education, recognises achievement and supports new ideas.
Explore bursaries, scholarships and awardsWe work with Heriot-Watt University and ICBD, CIBD and WSET to support academic, technical and vocational routes into the industry.
Meet our education partnersA one-to-one programme connecting students and developing professionals with experienced members of the Livery.
Explore mentoringThe Business of Spirits seminars and Tales of the Industry recordings add practical experience to formal study.
Discover learning opportunitiesThis work depends on people who are willing to share what they have learned. If you are a Freeman or Liveryman with experience that could help someone develop their career, we would be pleased to hear from you.