'To Attain Grand Status, A Brand Must Be A Luxury Player Globally'
Forbes India|October 13, 2017

Simon Hunt, CEO of William Grant & Sons, says the success of a company is defined by its pioneering attitude and that consumers demand authenticity and qualitywhen it comes to spirits

Paramita Chatterjee
'To Attain Grand Status, A Brand Must Be A Luxury Player Globally'

William Grant & Sons, the world’s third-largest Scotch whisky maker, turns 130 this December. Its CEO Simon Hunt says the secret family recipe and attention to detail makes its signature brands like Glenfiddich single malt, Grant’s blended Scotch, The Balvenie single malt Scotch and Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt enjoy the status they have acquired today. Hunt, 46, has been with William Grant & Sons since 2007. He initially served as managing director, North America, before being promoted to chief commercial officer and then CEO in March 2016. During his recent visit to India, he spoke to Forbes India about the legacy of the brand, why innovation is key to the company and how it’s an entity with an eye on the future. Edited excerpts:

Q William Grant & Sons has a lineage of over a 100 years. How has it evolved and what has remained unchanged?

William Grant, the founder of our company, spent nearly 20 years working in a distillery before he set up his own in Scotland, with help from his family. Along with his sons and daughters, he built the Glenfiddich distillery and on Christmas day in 1887, they distilled the first drop of Glenfiddich. I am excited as it will be the 130th anniversary of the company this Christmas. Since its launch, the business has grown from strength to strength. William Grant set out to make the best dram (a small shot of Scotch); that underpins a lot of things that we do within the business. We are now five generations in [the business] and still privately held; we have a consistent history and an authentic story. We operate differently from many other companies—we take a long-term view because of the business we are in. In other words, a big part of our DNA comes from the fact that we plan way in advance. For instance, the Scotch whisky that we make now may be served only 40 years later.

Esta historia es de la edición October 13, 2017 de Forbes India.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición October 13, 2017 de Forbes India.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE FORBES INDIAVer todo
Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued
Forbes India

Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued

The pandemic has also brought with it an improved focus on hygiene, use of technology in dining, rise of cloud kitchens and resurgence in popularity of Indian ingredients

time-read
8 minutos  |
May 21, 2021
Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years
Forbes India

Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years

As of 2020, Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s super app for financial services had run up losses in thousands of crores. Now, as digital payments gets yet another boost courtesy Covid-19, he’s hopeful of reaching near breakeven in two years

time-read
10+ minutos  |
June 4, 2021
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN
Forbes India

THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN

Covid-19 has shown that women are more likely to face the brunt of job losses than men, and find fewer opportunities when they want to resume. That apart, several have to deal with increased hours of unpaid work at home and even domestic abuse

time-read
8 minutos  |
May 21, 2021
LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
Forbes India

LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE

Leaders must not only guard their teams first during a crisis, but also deal with stakeholders with respect and dignity. And apart from pursuing business goals, they should remain committed to our planet and the environment

time-read
7 minutos  |
May 21, 2021
PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST
Forbes India

PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST

Apart from building a flexible and resilient framework for the future, philanthropists, civil society and the government must work in tandem so that every rupee is absorbed on the ground

time-read
9 minutos  |
May 21, 2021
INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR
Forbes India

INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR

While clinical research will get a boost, having a skilled workforce and public spending on health care will be challenges in the near term

time-read
8 minutos  |
May 21, 2021
DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION
Forbes India

DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION

As the pandemic brings technology and innovation to the core of business and daily life, the next decade will see about 150 million digital-first families in India

time-read
8 minutos  |
May 21, 2021
Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?
Forbes India

Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?

Augmenting sustainability alongside digital capabilities is an economic, competitive and global opportunity for India’s businesses, but regulations need to reflect intent

time-read
10 minutos  |
June 4, 2021
EV Dream Still Miles Away
Forbes India

EV Dream Still Miles Away

Electric vehicles have remained a buzzword in India for years. But not much has moved on ground due to high upfront costs, range anxiety and charging infrastructure

time-read
6 minutos  |
June 4, 2021
Living Waters
Forbes India

Living Waters

A virus has caused us to scramble for oxygen but our chokehold on the environment is slowly strangling the very waters that breathe life into us. The virus is a timely reminder: We are merely consumers, not producers of life’s breath on this planet

time-read
4 minutos  |
June 4, 2021