The spirits company, which formed in October, has also revealed the appointment of an advisory panel of big-hearted business leaders and a ground-breaking partnership with developmental organisation Challenges Worldwide.
The panel, Ginerosity said, will allocate funds raised by sales of its gin for overseas courses run by Challenges Worldwide through the International Citizen Service (ICS). The announcements come as the drinks company continues to gather momentum with sales across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Ginerosity said successful applicants will go on 10-12 week placements in sub-Saharan Africa where they will work for a local social enterprise business, helping it to meet criteria that will enable it to attract investment.
The applicants are given feedback and support throughout their time in Africa by Challenges Worldwide staff.
On their return to the UK, applicants will be eligible to sit the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 5 qualification in Professional Consulting. The Ginerosity team will cover the £300 price of the certificate for its applicants, plus contribute towards the £800 ICS fundraising target.
Ginerosity director and social entrepreneur Chris Thewlis said: “The ripple effect of this concept is limitless. By helping one young adult, we support another social enterprise, helping it grow and expand, which in turn helps others. The young people we help fund return home and champion other social enterprises, including, we hope, Ginerosity; as well as gain a valuable qualification.
“This unique, innovative project feeds itself, and is delivered simply by people buying our beautiful gin. I urge gin lovers everywhere to support the Ginerosity mission.”
Applications, Mr Thewlis said, will be assessed by the newly appointed Ginerosity panel, chaired by Alex Bruce, managing director of Adelphi Distillery. Joining Mr Bruce and Mr Nicol are Jen Gammell, Adam Hardie, Alan McGuiggan, Arthur McIvor, Joanne McNeill, Diane Pickering, Lindsey Sibbald and Melanie van de Velde.
Mr Bruce, chair of the panel, said: “This is a really exciting project, and I am truly honoured to be involved. There is genuine optimism in the Scottish food and drink industry currently, especially with the inherent authenticity and traceability that comes with bespoke products like Ginerosity. The fact the brand can directly support young adults, who have not had the opportunities that many of us have enjoyed, into real and tangible careers is genuinely inspiring.
“I know that all of us on the panel are looking forward to getting to know the candidates as they progress through the programme and into life-changing careers.”
Ginerosity was established in October last year by Mr Thewlis, director of Beer for Good CIC; Matthew Gammell and Marcus Pickering, founders of Summerhall Distillery where Ginerosity is made; Dave Mullen, executive creative director of agency Story UK; and David Moore, chief executive of Flavourly.com and director of the Craft Beer Clan of Scotland.
Mr Pickering said: “We’re enormously grateful to our panel of big-hearted experts. While we will make, sell and market the gin, we’ve tasked them with a much harder role: how to spend the money we make.”
• Interested young adults (18-25) can apply through Challenges Worldwide’s website www.challengesworldwide.com as well as the Ginerosity website, www.ginerosity.com
