Scottish Alcohol
| Abbreviation | SAIP |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2014 (relaunched 2019) |
| Purpose | Promote responsible alcohol consumption; support public health and community initiatives |
| Location |
|
Region served | Scotland |
Main organ | Secretariat (led by Douglas Meikle) |
| Website | saip.org.uk |
The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) is a coalition of alcohol producers, retailers, trade bodies, and hospitality stakeholders operating in Scotland. It was established initially by government and industry together to develop, support, and deliver initiatives that promote responsible alcohol consumption and reduce alcohol-related harm. SAIP also engages in policy dialogue with government and supports community-based alcohol awareness programmes.
History and Purpose
SAIP was originally formed in 2014 and relaunched in 2019 to respond more directly to Scotland's evolving alcohol policy environment. It provides a platform for industry collaboration across distilling, brewing, retail, and hospitality sectors. Its core mission is to reduce alcohol-related harm while recognising the alcohol sector's economic, social, and cultural importance to Scotland.
The partnership promotes collaboration with organisations such as Drinkaware, Police Scotland, and local authorities to deliver public awareness campaigns, retailer training, and workplace education.
Membership
SAIP comprises a wide range of organisations, including:
- Alcohol producers such as Diageo, Whyte & Mackay, Edrington, Bacardi, and Heineken
- Trade associations including the Scotch Whisky Association, Scottish Beer & Pub Association, Wine & Spirit Trade Association, and the Portman Group
- Retailers and representative bodies such as the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Scottish Grocers' Federation, and BII Scotland
Leadership
In October 2023, SAIP appointed its first-ever chairperson, Kieran Healey‑Ryder, Global Head of Communication and Whisky Discovery at Whyte & Mackay.[1] His role includes uniting sector voices, promoting public health partnerships, and advocating for the sector’s economic contribution.
The Secretariat is led by Douglas Meikle, who manages strategy delivery and stakeholder coordination.
Key People
| Name | Role | Affiliation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kieran Healey‑Ryder | Chairperson (from 2023) | Whyte & Mackay | |
| Douglas Meikle | Secretariat Lead | SAIP | |
| Paul Togneri | Member representative | Scottish Beer & Pub Association | |
| Miles Beale | Member representative | Wine & Spirit Trade Association |
Campaigns and Initiatives
SAIP has been responsible for several high-profile responsible drinking campaigns:
- It’ll Cost You — A long-running campaign, relaunched in 2022–24 in partnership with Police Scotland and Community Alcohol Partnerships, aimed at tackling proxy purchasing (adults buying alcohol for minors).[2]
- 125ml Wine Measure — A voluntary initiative to make smaller wine measures available in licensed venues.
- Drinkaware at Work — A free workplace education programme in partnership with Drinkaware.
- Confidence & Responsibility — A post-COVID campaign to support safe reopening of Scotland’s hospitality sector.
- Keep Track, Cut Back — A support campaign encouraging individuals to assess and moderate their drinking habits.
Community Alcohol Partnerships
SAIP works closely with Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs) to support local, multi-agency efforts to reduce underage drinking and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour. These initiatives involve police, retailers, local authorities, and schools working together to enforce age-verification, deter proxy purchasing, and provide educational resources.
Through CAPs, SAIP helps deliver targeted versions of national campaigns and gathers local insights to support evidence-based interventions.
Economic and Export Contribution
The alcohol industry in Scotland is a significant economic contributor:
- Contributes over £6 billion annually to the Scottish economy
- Supports around 340,000 jobs, with approximately 90,000 directly employed in alcohol production, retail, and hospitality
- Plays a critical role in rural development and tourism
The sector is also a major export driver:
- Scotch whisky is Scotland’s largest food and drink export, with exports exceeding £6.2 billion in 2023
- Alcohol products are exported to more than 180 countries globally
Alcohol Consumption Trends
Scotland
- Between 2017 and 2024, adult alcohol consumption in Scotland declined from 10.6 to 9.0 litres of pure alcohol per person per year.[3]
- Non-drinking among adults has increased from 12% in 2008 to around 20% in 2023.
- Scotland continues to have higher alcohol consumption rates than England and Wales, although hospital admissions and alcohol-related harm have declined over the past decade.
United Kingdom
- UK alcohol consumption peaked in the mid-2000s but has since stabilised around 9.7 litres of pure alcohol per adult per year.[4]
- Abstention from alcohol is rising, especially among people aged 18–34, where nearly 50% now report being non-drinkers.
- The popularity of no- and low-alcohol drinks continues to grow, contributing to a shift in market dynamics and consumer preferences.
References
- ↑ "Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership appoints first Chairperson". The Drinks Report. October 2023.
- ↑ "SAIP Initiatives - It'll Cost You". SAIP. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ "Alcohol consumption and harms dashboard". Public Health Scotland. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
- ↑ "UK Alcohol Facts - Trends". Alcohol Change UK. Retrieved 2025-08-05.
External links
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