Scholarship to honour Ian Murray

William Grant & Sons has launched a scholarship to honour Ian Murray, its former prestige retail manager, who died last year after a short illness.

Wm Grant is offering people working in an off-trade spirits retail environment in the UK the opportunity to further their development and knowledge of the spirits category, and particularly malt whisky.

The initiative has been inspired by Murray’s work with his education and consultancy business, Spirited Solutions.

Kirsten Grant Meikle, fifth generation Grant family member and head of strategic on-trade development at First Drinks is leading the initiative.

Open to 18 to 30-year-olds working in an off-trade spirits retail environment in the UK, the scholarship will be awarded annually with applications being shortlisted to 10 by Ian Murray’s colleagues and members of the Grant family. The winning candidate will be selected by Ian’s family.

The winner will be awarded the ‘Ian Murray Scholarship’ and complete a bespoke programme of activity. As well as having the opportunity to achieve their WSET 1 and 2 qualifications, the successful candidate will complete a presentation skills course and attend an educational distillery visit to a William Grant & Sons site.