Ruben Da Silva, Portfolio Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), is a champion for respect and inclusion, both professionally and personally. As a proud member of the Embrace Difference Council Pride in Drinks workstream and an advocate within CCEP’s Pride@CCEP employee resource group, Ruben is helping lead the charge towards a more inclusive future for everyone in the drinks industry.
“Being part of Pride in Drinks through the Drinks Association with a group of passionate individuals has been a highlight for me within my career,” says Ruben. “I am proud to be a part of an industry that is leading this change.”
That change is being formalised through the launch of the Respect in Drinks Charter, an initiative of the Drinks Association Embrace Difference Council. The Charter is a shared pledge across the industry to uphold dignity, equality and fair treatment for all.
“Companies across the drinks industry are taking a stand and committing to a pledge that they recognise the inherent value of every individual,” Ruben explains. “This is the way forward.”
Ruben’s involvement with Pride@CCEP is one way he advocates for a more inclusive culture, particularly for LGBTQ+ team members. “I play a small part in advocating, embracing and celebrating our differences, including sexual orientation and gender identity,” he shares. “This fosters a sense of belonging among our rainbow community employees.”
But creating change, he says, isn’t just about formal roles or big gestures, it’s also about the everyday actions we all take. “Become an ally. Help create an inclusive and accepting environment where everyone can feel safe, valued and respected,” says Ruben. “Speak up. If something doesn’t sound right, call it out. It’s about educating others. And it’s also important to acknowledge your mistakes by apologising and learning from them.”
Ruben believes that initiatives like the Respect in Drinks Charter will help the industry move forward in a way that embraces diversity and empowers individuals to be their authentic selves. “Fostering a safe environment for all will allow people to grow and thrive in an industry that they are passionate about.”
The Drinks Association supports and encourages compliance by its members with the ‘Respect in Drinks Charter’ but makes no representations, expressly or by inference, in relation to the conduct of our members or their compliance with the Charter. The only representation made by the Association is that our member has signed the Charter. Any complaint or claim arising from any alleged breach of the Charter must be made directly to the member organisation.