UK-based Pernod Ricard entities Pernod Ricard UK and Chivas Brothers have announced the introduction of a number of initiatives to support communities both on home soil and in international markets that continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the UK, Pernod Ricard UK and Chivas Brothers have pledged their support to a number of charities and partners, including those who will be carrying out vital work to assist those in hospitality and some of the most adversely-affected communities in the coming months:
Pernod Ricard UK pledges £250,000 to The Drinks Trust
Pernod Ricard UK has pledged its support to the UK drinks industry workforce, and in particular those in the on-trade, by donating £250,000 to industry charity The Drinks Trust. The donation coincides with the launch of a new campaign by The Drinks Trust, formerly The Benevolent, to support those in need financially and by increasing the capacity of its helpline and the volume of complementary therapy services it delivers.
David Haworth, Managing Director at Pernod Ricard UK, comments: "It's an unprecedented time for our industry. The Drinks Trust offers fantastic financial support and places emphasis on the health, wellbeing and career development of individuals within the industry.”
Chivas Brothers donates 100,000L pure alcohol to the manufacture of hand sanitiser amidst ongoing UK shortage
Scotch whisky business Chivas Brothers has bolstered parent company Pernod Ricard’s efforts to increase production of hand sanitiser worldwide by pledging an initial donation of 100,000L of ethanol. The donation will help UK manufacturers create much-needed hydroalcoholic gel for the UK community as demand continues to grow, and builds on donations and manufacturing efforts already in place across the world by Pernod Ricard affiliates including Irish Distillers, Ricard SAS, The Absolut Company and Pernod Ricard USA.
Chivas Brothers donates £26,000 to MND Scotland and extends partnership
Chivas Brothers has accelerated its support of its 2020 Charity of the Year, MND Scotland, by meeting its total £50,000 fundraising target nine months ahead of schedule, and committing to continue fundraising efforts when possible, and extend them throughout 2021.
Jean-Christophe Coutures, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers, said: “With planned business and employee fundraising efforts now on hold due to COVID-19, Chivas Brothers is making a lump-sum donation of £26,000 to bolster the £24,000 raised to date, and ensure the charity - which supports those in Scotland living with motor neurone disease - has access to funding at a time when they need it most.”
2,000 hospitality professionals sign up to free WSET online courses paid-for by Pernod Ricard UK
Pernod Ricard UK has partnered with The Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) to offer Level 1 Spirits courses online for free. 2,000 hospitality professionals over the age of 18 have already signed up to the programme, which will be run online by the WSET and lasts approximately four weeks. The package also includes a home-delivered selection spirits from Pernod Ricard UK to be used as tasters throughout the course.
Pernod Ricard UK’s Brand Engagement and Advocacy Team (The BEAT) will also be available via their online channels for the duration of the course, as additional online support and to run tasting sessions. For more information or to sign-up to the waiting list, please visit www.prukbeat.com and click the 'Let's keep busy' tab.
Meanwhile Chivas Brothers’ two biggest blended Scotch whisky brands have announced the following initiatives to support communities worldwide:
Chivas awards entrepreneurs who are making the world a better place
With blended Scotch whisky Chivas’ global social enterprise competition curtailed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the prize fund of the Chivas Venture 2020 will be distributed equally amongst the 26 finalists of this year’s competition with immediate effect - so that the funding can be put towards helping solve social, environmental and economic challenges and creating positive impact in a testing time for people across the globe.
Pernod Ricard Chairman and CEO Alexandre Ricard commented: “Now more than ever, our world needs the passion and dedication of those who want to bring about positive change.”
Blended Scotch whisky Ballantine’s has pledged its support for music communities worldwide at a time when COVID-19 restrictions are impacting their ability to do what they love and to make a living. The initiative, the first in a number planned for the coming months, will see grants distributed to community-driven music collectives around the world who will be taking part in Boiler Room’s recently-announced ‘Streaming from Isolation’ programme. The grants will be given to each collective to distribute as they feel best within their immediate community, to support those most in need. Weekly takeover days on Boiler Room channels will feature performances and content from the collectives, broadcast to the world from their homes and creative spaces, keeping music fans connected while they are socially isolating. During the broadcasts there will be an option to donate to The Global FoodBanking Network, for those who are able to do so.
Pernod Ricard UK and Chivas Brothers will be announcing further measures to support communities at home and abroad in the coming weeks.