Charles Gordon of William Grant & Sons dies aged 86

It has just been announced that Charles Gordon, life president of William Grant & Sons, died in New York at the weekend. He was 86.

Gordon was a key driving force in building William Grant & Sons into a strong independent family-owned company with a global reputation.

His son Glenn, the present chairman of the company, paid this tribute to his father: “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 us with.

“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 future generations”.

Grant’s chief executive Stella David said: “On behalf of all of us at William & Sons, we recognise the truly exceptional contribution Charles Gordon has made to our company. Indeed few people have made a greater contribution to the Scotch whisky industry over such an extended period of time. The company is fully committed to continue to build on Charles’ remarkable legacy.”