Wildcard named ‘Brewery Business of the Year’ in the SIBA Business Awards 2023

March 16, 2023| Neil Walker | SIBA National

The winners in the SIBA Business Awards 2023 have today been revealed – highlighting the very best beer businesses across the UK – including breweries, pubs, taprooms and bottle shops

Wildcard in Walthamstow, London, took home the award’s biggest accolade, winning Brewery Business of the Year 2023 in what was a big night for the beer and brewing industry.

Wildcard’s owners Will Harris and Jaega Wise were on hand to accept the award,

“Delighted to win the award – it’s just huge recognition for everyone at Wildcard and we’re just really poprud of what we have achieved as a team.” Will Harris, Wildcard

“We have been going for eleven years now and to get recognition on a national level is unbelievable for the team – we’re going to go out tonight and celebrate! At Wildcard we operate a skinny team that works hard, so for us this is the ultimate validation. Sometimes things have got tough over the last couple of years and so an award like this really does mean everything.” Jaega Wise, Wildcard.

The SIBA Business Awards are judged by a panel of independent beer industry experts, and organised by not-for-profit trade association the Society of Independent Brewers. The awards cover everything from brewery marketing, design and innovation, to efforts to make businesses more sustainable or impactful. Presenting the awards was beer industry writer and broadcaster Pete Brown, who had this to say on Wildcards win.

“Wildcard were hugely impressive across the board, taking home the top prize in two categories and carve a niche for themselves with unique design, top quality beers and keen business instincts. Their influence on the industry has been huge for what is a relatively small brewery and judges were blown away by just how much they doing to progress the brewery on all fronts.” Pete Brown.

The 2023 awards also for the first time included a new “Empowering People” Award, which seeks to highlight the best breweries in the UK to work for by empowering and supporting their teams and championing inclusivity and diversity.

The new award places a spotlight on independent craft breweries who go above and beyond for the members of their team; empowering people to achieve more in their professional career, introducing initiatives and incentives which create a positive working environment, making efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity, or providing benefits or support mechanisms which encourage a happier healthier life for employees.

Joining the expert judging panel for 2023 were Andy Slee, SIBA Chief Executive; Caroline Nodder, Editor of Independent Brewer and the SIBA British Craft Beer Report; Alex Metcalfe, lead on CAMRA Learn & Discover; Jo Hunter, Interior & Architectural Design expert and founder of Hunter’s Daughter; Charlie Docherty, SIBA Business Development Officer; and Neil Walker, SIBA Head of Comms & Marketing, who chaired the panel.

Wildcard named ‘Brewery Business of the Year’ in the SIBA Business Awards 2023

Author: Neil Walker

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