ONE of Diageo’s leading employees in the Wee County has made history after being the first woman to ever be appointed renter warden of the Worshipful Company of Brewers.

With origins dating back to the end of the twelfth century and having been granted a royal charter in 1438 by Henry VI, the Worshipful Company of Brewers is one of the oldest of the City guilds or livery companies.

Expert brewer Katherine Smart first joined the Worshipful Company of Brewers - or Brewers’ Company as it is more commonly known - as a liveryman brewer in 2014, becoming the first female Member of Court (the equivalent to the company’s board) in 2018.

As renter warden – one of the Company’s most senior leadership positions, Katherine is responsible, with the master and other wardens, for the oversight of the company’s operations including supporting the charitable works of the company.

Based in Diageo’s International Supply Centre in Menstrie, Scotland, Katherine holds a PhD in Fermentation and Brewing Science, a DSc by publication in Brewing and Distilling Sciences and an honorary LLD and is a Fellow of three learned societies.

She is also a lecturer in Brewing and Distilling at the University of Cambridge, professor at the University of Nottingham, Rectifier of the Gin Guild and is a Liveryman Distiller of the Worshipful Company of Distillers.

Katherine also served as president of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling from 2016 - 2018, only the second woman to hold the role.

Katherine leads Diageo’s global technical function with responsibility for innovation, research and liquid development, packaging, and governance.

Katherine is particularly passionate about Diageo’s work to build a strong pipeline of female brewing talent. This includes the ‘Diageo Spirit of STEM scholarship’ which every year supports two female candidates to study a BSc in Brewing and Distilling and a MEng/BEng Mechanical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, as well as providing internship and mentorship opportunities within Diageo.

Describing her pride at the appointment, Katherine said: “I’m thrilled to have been elected renter warden for the Worshipful Company of Brewers – an organization playing a crucial role connecting brewers across the industry, and supporting valuable research and educational work.

“Brewing has historically been very male dominated, and when I started my career, I’d often be the only woman in the room at industry events. Today it is wonderful to see so many women entering the industry, building thriving careers and shaping the future of brewing.”

The Brewers' Company is Trustee of the Brewers' Research and Education Fund (BREF), a major grants fund for the brewing industry supporting relevant scientific research and education as well as supporting an MSc student annually at the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling and presenting prizes for the top achievers in the Institute of Brewing and Distilling’s exams.

The company supports two schools as well as several educational programmes to encourage aspiration, music, science, and wider cultural capital for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. In total it distributes approximately £2 million in grants annually.