Name: Lisa Rose
Job: Head of EU Affairs, Diageo & Co-Founder, Envolve Gym
Industry: Corporate Relations
Class of: 2000
House: Law

What do you do?

I am Head of EU Affairs for Diageo, the global leader in spirit drinks such as Johnnie Walker. I work within the Corporate Relations function, and my role is to monitor, assess and lobby on relevant new EU legislation that will impact the business. This may include food/drink labelling requirements, marketing freedoms/restrictions, environmental laws and product definitions. Additionally, I work closely with other parts of the business, such as legal and supply.

More recently, along with two partners, I opened a boutique gym in central Brussels, called ENVOLVE GYM, which focuses on helping everyone at any level to get stronger. It’s a passion project for me and we pride ourselves in providing quality coaching with a speciality in the kettlebell and the TRX suspension trainer. 

How did you get to where you are today?

After leaving HSOG, I studied for my MA in EU Studies with French at Edinburgh University. This included a year at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Rennes, France.

Following my studies, I completed an internship in the European Parliament working for a Scottish MEP (pre-Brexit of course!). I then stayed on as his Policy Assistant from 2005 until 2008. After this, I moved to The Scotch Whisky Association as their EU Manager and then in spiritsEurope in Brussels, the EU trade association for spirit drinks. Eventually, I made the move to Diageo in 2009.

At the same time, my passion for sport and nutrition led me to do several certifications in fitness/nutrition.

What is a standout memory of your time at The High School of Glasgow?

I remember a lot from my time at school. In particular, I remember loving my French class with Mr Bennie and practicing hard for the oral exam – and laughing a lot when speaking with my partner, Gemma, not aware Mr Bennie was listening in through the headphones.  If only he could see me now; fluent in French (and Italian)!

I also remember fondly the sense of team spirit when we played hockey (and usually won!) in weekly fixtures and tournaments.

What one piece of advice would you give to current pupils and recent leavers as they look to their futures?

Be openminded when choosing what you want to do. With Brexit, the landscape may have changed slightly but everything is possible – try to spend some time away from Glasgow/Scotland/the UK! I’ve lived in Brussels since 2004 with a year in France and I love living abroad. That being said, I also love going home too. My husband is Italian, and my kids speak English, Italian and French. What an amazing start for them!

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