CHIVAS Brothers’ longest-serving female employee has celebrated 45 years working for the company in Dumbarton. Jacqui Farquhar (60) joined the company in 1968, after a summer holiday turned into a permanent move.
Jacqui, who is originally from the Isle of Mull, explained: “My sister and her husband lived in Dumbarton, and when I left school at the age of 15 I went to stay with them for the summer.
“My brother-in-law asked what I wanted to do with my life and I admitted I didn’t know, so he suggested I go to the local distillery and enquire about vacancies.
“I filled in an application and by the time I arrived back on Mull there was a letter waiting for me, inviting me to an interview with Hiram Walker, as the company was then known.”
Jacqui began working in the mail room at the company’s High Street offices. Three months later, a job came up as a Lab Technician, and Jacqui jumped at the chance for a change of scenery.
She has worked in Quality Control ever since, nosing and testing samples of spirit before it is bottled, and checking all labels and packaging are correct.
She said: “I enjoy my work – that’s why I’ve stayed all these years. Even now every day is different. One of my fondest memories is the time I went to South Korea to help test samples out there.
“I also remember when we won the Queen’s Award for Industry in 1968 and were each given two half-bottles of whisky as a present!
“I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, but they’ve all been for the better. I’m a whisky drinker myself – Scapa 16 Year Old is my favourite – so it’s amazing to see how whisky has grown and how many countries our products are shipped to now.”
As well as being a member of the Chivas Brothers sailing club, Jacqui has been a Scout leader for 40 years, is a Church Elder at the West Kirk in Dumbarton, an RNLI volunteer and Christian Aid fundraiser.
She also enjoys helping out on her brother Iain’s farm on Mull, particularly during the lambing season and at harvest – when she drives tractors.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Chivas Brothers is the Scotch whisky and premium gin business of Pernod Ricard – the world’s co-leader in wine and spirits. Chivas Brothers is the global leader in luxury Scotch whisky and premium gin. Its portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s, Beefeater Gin, The Glenlivet, Royal Salute, Aberlour, Plymouth Gin, Longmorn, Scapa, 100 Pipers, Clan Campbell, Something Special and Passport.
In July 2010 chivas Brothers launched The Age Matters campaign to help consumers understand the importance of Scotch whisky age statements.
For further information:
Jennifer Stevenson
communications manager
Chivas Brothers
jennifer.stevenson@pernod-ricard.com
MEDIA RELEASE posted by Chivas Brothers/Richmond Towers. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Paloma Salmeron Planells
Email: paloma@rt-com.com
