William Grant & Sons life president dies

William Grant & Sons has announced the death of its life president Charles Gordon, who died in New York the weekend before Christmas aged 86.

Charles Gordon, life president of William Grant & Sons, has died

In a statement released by the William Grant & Sons, Gordon, who was the great-grandson of company founder William Grant, was described as a “key driving force” behind the independent family-owned brand.

He held the position of chairman of the company until 2008, when he was appointed Life President.

Glenn Gordon, son of Charles Gordon and current president of William Grant & Sons, paid tribute to his father, he said: “We are all very proud of my father’s achievements in his very full and energetic lifetime and give thanks for the legacy that he has left with us. He touched the lives of many, many people and will be sorely missed by all.

“In our family and our business, which my father always intertwined, he very much believed in a spirit of partnership. In his memory, we will continue to build this spirit, and with it our independent family business, for generations to come.”

A significant figure in the Scotch whisky industry, the late Gordon has been credited with building William Grant & Sons’ Glenfiddich and Grant’s Scotch whisky brands to global prominence.

Stella David, chief executive of the drinks group, recognised his “truly exceptional” contribution to the Scotch trade.

“Indeed few people have made a greater contribution to the Scotch whisky industry over such an extended period of time,” she said.

“The company is fully committed to build on Charles’ remarkable legacy. We pass our sympathies on to the Gordon family.”