London Wine Fair is proud to welcome Ayla Lilani as our new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultant.
Alya Lilani is a seasoned People and Culture professional with over a decade of international experience. She began her career in hospitality leadership roles in France and New Zealand before moving to the UK in 2017 to focus on learning and development, workplace culture, and employee engagement in the media industry. In 2020, Alya led News UK’s Diversity in Leadership initiative, advancing diversity in leadership and fostering a more inclusive culture. She later spearheaded News Corp Australia’s first diversity and inclusion programme.
In 2023, Alya returned to her passion for wine, spending a year on-trade while also working as a freelance Culture and Engagement Consultant. In this role, she supports organisations across various industries in launching tailored DE&I and culture initiatives that prioritise their people. By leveraging her expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), Alya is committed to integrating these values into the wine industry, combining her two passions.
She also serves as an advisory council member for Drinks United, a collaborative effort by the WSTA, WSET, and The Drinks Trust to create a safer, more inclusive drinks industry where everyone is supported.
Alya's appointment reflects London Wine Fair's fundamental commitment to creating a more representative and accessible industry. As a cornerstone of our strategic vision, DE&I isn't just an initiative but is essential to our continued success.
We recognise that meaningful progress requires dedicated expertise and leadership—qualities Alya embodies through her work with Drinks United and her proven track record of creating inclusive environments where diverse voices thrive.
Through this partnership, we're taking concrete steps toward ensuring the wine industry reflects the full spectrum of talent, perspectives, and consumers it serves.
