The Wine Guild UK is pleased to announce the appointment of Viscount Thurso as its new Chancellor, replacing Roy Ackerman CBE, who sadly passed away last month.
He will be the Guild’s 3rd Chancellor, including founder Lord Montagu of Beaulieu.
Lord Thurso has a long and successful relationship with the wine and hospitality industries and has managed a number of successful hotels including The Lancaster in Paris, Cliveden House and Champneys. He is Chairman of the International Wine & Spirit Competition and has been the President and Patron of the Academy of Food and Wine Service.
Lord Thurso had a distinguished career in politics, serving as the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross until 2015 and was a Commissioner of the House of Commons and appointed to the Privy Council.
Having lost his seat in 2015 Lord Thurso returned to the House of Lords and now also holds the position of Chairman of VisitScotland.
“I am deeply honoured and delighted to take on the Chancellorship of The Wine Guild of The United Kingdom,” he said. “Roy Ackerman and Edward Montagu were both old and dear friends for whom I had great fondness and respect for all they achieved, so to follow in their footsteps is a real honour.”
Paul Breach Chairman of The Wine Guild UK said: “It is with great pleasure and delight for me, that Lord Thurso has agreed to fulfil the role of Chancellor of The Wine Guild UK. I anticipate that his appointment will add impetus to the many initiatives now before us, so I look forward to working with him to achieve our goals.” www.wineguilduk.org [ends]
Photograph attached: Viscount Thurso
Note to Editors
The Wine Guild UK is a membership organisation as well as having a charitable arm that encourages Wine Education and training within both the wine trade and hospitality industries.
It is the UK representative of the FICB, the Paris-based International Federation of Wine Brotherhoods representing 138 brotherhoods in 25 producing countries.
The Guild’s aims are to share the enjoyment and appreciation of wine, both locally produced and imported. It fulfils its objectives through social activities, sommelier-led lunches, dinners, tutored tastings, wine courses and wine tours to both UK and foreign wine producers.
Its annual Winter Banquet, normally held at Vintners’ Hall, is the highlight in the Guild’s calendar. The ceremony reflects the tradition of the Craft Guilds of mediaeval Europe, although the Guild aims remain very much in-tune with today’s needs.
For further information
Secretary; Pauline Jackson, Pauline.jackson7@btinternet.com