William Grant becomes 12th IARD member

Glenfiddich producer William Grant & Sons has become the 12th member of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD).

William Grant & Sons owns Scotch whisky brand Glenfiddich

The IARD is a collective of leading beer, wine and spirits producers from around the world who have pledged to work together to tackle harmful drinking. The IARD also works to set new standards of responsibility for the alcoholic beverage industry.

Simon Hunt, William Grant & Sons chief executive, said: “As the scale and complexity of our global operations grow, our focus remains to build a business for long-term sustainable success.

“By becoming a member of IARD, we’re committed to taking collective action to tackle harmful drinking and deliver positive change.”

The IARD was established in 2018, when the CEOs of 11 alcohol companies, including Diageo and Pernod Ricard, partnered with four social media platforms in an effort to deliver better safeguarding measures for online alcohol advertising.

Commenting on William Grant’s membership, Henry Ashworth, IARD CEO and president, said: “We are delighted that William Grant & Sons has joined IARD. As a family-owned business founded in 1887, they place long-term thinking and sustainability at the heart of all they do.

“These values, alongside a commitment to tackling harmful drinking, are shared amongst all IARD members.

“We are seeing positive change in many parts of the world, in underage drinking, binge drinking and drink driving, but there is still much work to be done.

“IARD is keen to work with other producers, private and public sector organisations and communities to help move from a shared agenda to shared solutions on harmful drinking.”