September 13, 2012; Kingston Jamaica. J. Wray & Nephew Limited’s Master Blender, Joy Spence OD, has been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Loughborough University in England.
Joy, who has the distinction of being the first female master blender in the spirits industry, was awarded the honorary degree in recognition of her contribution to the distilled spirits industry and the advancement of women in the field.
The ceremony took place today, Thursday September 13, at a ceremony at Loughborough University, one of the United Kingdom’s leading universities. Joy graduated with a Masters Degree in Analytical Chemistry (with honours) from Loughborough in 1978.
Joy joined J. Wray & Nephew Limited as Chief Chemist in 1981, and held a series of key positions before she was appointed General Manager, Technical and Quality Services in 1996, a position she still holds along with the position of Master Blender, which she took up in 1997.
Joy has created a number of the exceptional products that the Company is famous for including Appleton Estate Reserve Jamaica Rum; Appleton Estate Extra 12 Year Old; Appleton Estate Master Blenders’ Legacy; and most recently, the Appleton Estate 50 Year Old Jamaica Rum – Jamaica Independence Reserve Limited Edition Rum.
In 2005 Joy was honoured by the Government of Jamaica who awarded her the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer, (OD) for her service to Industry and she also received the Rum Experience Pioneer’s Award for outstanding rum achievement at the Golden Rum Barrel Awards in 2011.
Source: J. Wray & Nephew
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