LCB’s Jane Renwick on empowering women in drinks logistics

Drinks logistics and bonded warehousing have traditionally been male-dominated fields. As the first and only female member of the LCB board, Renwick has spent more than 30 years challenging these perceptions and empowering women.

She began her career at Octavian Wine Services, driven by interest in operational roles rather than a personal passion for wine. “What really drew me in was understanding just how much it relies on the way wine is handled behind the scenes,” she explains.

Renwick acknowledges that making her voice heard in the industry has been challenging, especially given the scarcity of women in senior operational roles. Her commitment and resilience have been key to her success.

“Progression required a strong focus on developing knowledge and consistently delivering results. And confidence in this industry comes from knowledge and experience,” she says.

As a mentor for many, she recognises the value of collaboration and learning from others. Rather than being influenced by one specific individual, her career has been shaped by experience and the people she’s worked with.

“Being exposed to different roles and learning from colleagues across the industry has been invaluable,” Renwick explains. “Ultimately, progress has come from building expertise and staying committed to the job over the long term.”

Outside her daily tasks, Renwick has become a prominent industry voice, actively supporting women through initiatives like the Bonded Warehouse Association (BWA) Certification, which focuses on education in customs and excise.

For Renwick, being a woman in logistics is a strength, not a weakness. She believes women bring a great deal to the industry, particularly in the more analytical and operational aspects of the business. Skills like attention to detail, organisation and strategic thinking are incredibly important in logistics.

She notes that the work is often misunderstood but highly technical. As more women recognise this, she expects their influence in the field to grow.

Rewarding career

Although logistics may not be the first choice for many, Renwick highlights its potential as a rewarding career path.

“What makes it interesting is the combination of technical challenge and responsibility. You’re dealing with valuable goods that require very specific conditions, alongside strict compliance and detailed tracking. At the same time, there’s a strong client element – people are relying on you to look after something important to them. That mix of accountability and complexity makes it a very engaging sector to work in,” Renwick says.

“In my career, I’ve had to navigate the pressures that come with managing large, complex operations – balancing client expectations, regulatory requirements, and the responsibility for safeguarding significant assets.”

As LCB’s fine wine director, she also emphasises the attraction of handling high-end goods: “Fine wine is a long-term asset, and its value depends heavily on careful storage, traceability, and trust. As I spent more time in the industry, I became increasingly interested in that responsibility – ensuring that something valuable is protected properly over many years.

“The more you understand the details of what you’re doing, the more assured you become,” she adds. “It’s also a field that offers real opportunity for people willing to build that expertise over time, and I would certainly encourage more women to consider it as a career path.”

Renwick’s commitment to empowering women in the industry is echoed by Queena Wong from Curious Wines. As strong women working in operational and administrative roles, their voices continue to inspire others to join and make a difference behind the scenes, one bottle at a time.