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Kelly H.
Assistant Graduate Programme Manager
Country United Kingdom
Job Category Marketing

About Kelly

Key Experiences

From working with international students, to international graduates!
I started working in the drinks industry in Canada when I was 19. I have worked in the beer industry and also as a bartender. I then moved to Glasgow to complete my master's degree and afterwards obtained a job teaching international students at the university.
I started at Chivas Brothers in the archive at Strathisla Distillery. Heritage and history is a passion of mine, and my time in the archive made me fall in love with the brands and their stories.
I eventually made the big move to London, and now help manage the Chivas Brothers International Graduate Programme. It's been an exciting journey so far!

Current Position

I help manage Graduate Brand Ambassadors all over the world!
Moving abroad at such a young age can be difficult, and it's my job to make sure are graduates feel comfortable and supported! A lot of my time is spent liaising and chatting with our 52 graduate ambassadors to make sure they feel connected to Chivas Brothers, even though they are working abroad. I am also responsible for the programme's social media and I love research and staying up to date with the latest trends. A large part of my role is also to help coordinate the assessment centres and brand ambassador training. It's a role with a wide scope, and I love it because it allows me to have different experiences every day!

Main Motivations

Watching our graduates grow
One of the most rewarding parts of the job for me, is watching graduates grow during their time in market. It is wonderful to see them go out to market as nervous, excited graduates and return each year as confident and successful professionals. It's also fascinating to work with people in a variety of countries. Through keeping up with our graduates, I feel like I get a local insight into many places I have never been!

Top Advice

Be yourself!
People always ask me what we look for when we're recruiting, and the truth is, there is no "one description fits all" for a brand ambassador. While we look for marketing, business and language students, one of the most important things is a unique personality. As a brand ambassador, you need to be able to stand up in front of large groups of people and hold their attention. If you can wow us with your personality, your foot is already in the door!

Greatest Achievement

Creating communication
Something I am most proud of is creating stronger communication links between graduates and the Chivas Brother office in London. As the programme grows, so does the effort in keeping up communication. The best feedback for me is when a graduate says they feel supported.

Discussions with Kelly

Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,558 million in 2014/15. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier- Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 80 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.

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