UK Enterprise 2017

WORLDWIDE BUSINESS REVIEW / UK Enterprise Awards 2017 17 , TheWhisky Ambassador is a company providing an accredited training course about Scotch Whisky to hospitality staff across the world, giving them the knowledge, confidence and skill to be able to engage with customers and sell ScotchWhisky (and Scotland) to them. We spoke to Jo Graham, Managing Director, to find out more about the firmand the services it offers. Best Whisky Training Program - Scotland changes, means that jobs are being lost rather than created and in particular, rural communities are losing the hub of their community. As the pound weakens against the Euro and US Dollar, more British people are holidaying in the UK and it is cheaper for Europeans and Americans to come here, therefore this could be a boon to Scotland as we rely so much on tourism. However, we need to ensure that we have the infrastructure, both in knowledge and premises, to accommodate them all. “To adapt around these developments the Whisky Ambassador is looking to expand into more geographical regions. The programme is currently delivered in Europe, America, Canada, Australia and SE Asia. We have recently signed up a partner in India and are in talks with a potential partner in Panama. We are looking to expand into more regions, but also more countries within the regions we already cover. We are developing an advanced level course which will include similar modules on gin and world whiskies. We are also looking to expand into whisky tours and more whisky events.” Company: The Whisky Ambassador Ltd Contact: Jo Graham – Managing Director Sue Beatt – Global Operations Director Emails: [email protected] [email protected] Web: www.thewhiskyambassador.com Tel: 0141 375 7666 Address: 3 Somerset Place, Glasgow, G3 7JT The Whisky Ambassador work with licensed partners authorising them to deliver the programme in their region. Jo discusses the firm’s dedication to its product and how it works to ensure that clients receive the very highest standards of service and support. “Scotch Whisky is an iconic product, known worldwide but many people still know little about the product they sell. This justifies our conviction that by upskilling hospitality staff, everyone benefits. We are a small business that saw a gap in the market and our success confirms that it was a gap that needed to be filled. “Overall, our mission is to conquer the world, one bar at a time. As such we are passionate about Scotch Whisky, its complexities and differences, and we believe that the more knowledge staff have, the more they can inform customers.” As with any business in the service industry, in the whisky training market staff are vital, as Jo is eager to emphasise. “To ensure excellence for our clients, all of our trainers worldwide have subject knowledge, industry experience and are experienced trainers, many with training qualifications. The directors of the company have experience of the licensed trade and many years’ experience in the Learning and Development field. Because we are a small company, our service is friendly, relaxed and comfortable.” Moving forward, Jo believes that the Whisky Ambassador is dedicated to ensuring that it remains at the forefront of emerging developments in this ever evolving industry, as she concludes. “Over the last few years, the licensed trade has been hit hard. Between the smoking ban, the reduction in drink drive limits and the business rates increase, it is harder and harder for the trade in the UK to thrive and prosper. No-one disagrees with the health benefits of not having to deal with passive smoking and people being safe when driving, but it doesn’t help the trade. Hospitality is one of the biggest employers outside the public sector and the fact that so many premises are closing down due to these WUK17019