By Andy Young
William Grant & Sons (WGS) has announced that Australia’s Richard Blanchard has become the 100th Ambassador to join its global network of spirits experts.
Starting this month Blanchard will take on the role of Glenfiddich Ambassador for Australia and New Zealand. WGS established its Ambassador program in 1999 in order to develop a face-to-face platform that would help educate media, trade partners and consumers about the spirits and share the stories behind them.
WGS’s Head of Marketing, Jack Pollock, said: “Our ambassadors are unique individuals who have an entrepreneurial mind-set and the ability to bring creative (and sometimes crazy) ideas to life. Their main purpose is to be a living, breathing embodiment of the brand they represent.
“Our ambassadors act as an extension of the family behind the business. They bring immense know-how and unique capabilities from a varied selection of backgrounds. The ambassador team is truly central to William Grant & Son’s global success and we look forward to watching it grow over the coming years.”
Blanchard’s background as a bartender has seen him work in high profile venues such as Eau de Vie in Melbourne and Hawthorn Lounge and Matterhorn in Wellington. He has also spent the last three years as a Whisky Specialist at WGS, working across the group’s whisky portfolio including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Grant’s and Monkey Shoulder.