Ferguson Whisky Limited, a Glasgow-based company specialising in rare whisky investment opportunities, has secured a £450,000 funding package from Virgin Money, backed by UK Export Finance (UKEF).
The funding will support the purchase of whisky stock, enabling the company to expand operations and meet growing international demand.
Founded in 2021 by CEO David Ferguson, the company aims to make the world of rare whisky collecting more accessible. Ferguson Whisky offers a range of services, including investment in new make whisky or aged stock, and provides support through the bottling process. The company has established strong relationships with major Scottish distillers and has partnerships with Brindiamo Group in the US bourbon market and Bravo Whisky Golf in the luxury travel sector. These connections allow Ferguson Whisky to offer rare casks and organize exclusive experiences such as distillery tours and bespoke whisky events.
Virgin Money’s Commercial and Trade Finance teams collaborated with UKEF to structure a deal tailored to Ferguson Whisky’s needs. UKEF supported the bank by issuing a General Export Facility (GEF) loan guarantee, covering 80% of the financing and enabling Virgin Money to complete the transaction. The GEF is a flexible government-supported scheme designed to help UK export businesses, particularly SMEs, access working capital facilities to improve cash flow and accelerate international trade growth.
David Ferguson, Founder and CEO of Ferguson Whisky Limited, said: “We are an independent blender and bottler providing end-to-end whisky services from cask to bottle for customers all over the world. The support from Virgin Money, with backing from UK Export Finance, will ensure that we can continue to accelerate business growth internationally and attract more whisky consumers to visit Scotland.”
Craig Wilson, Head of FX Sales & Trade Finance at Virgin Money, added: “We are delighted to be working with David and his team to support their rapid and successful business growth. Their business needs a bank that can truly support international trading, and we are honored that they selected Virgin Money as their banking partner.”
Carol Harvey, UKEF Export Finance Manager for Scotland, concluded: “This deal is a great example of how UK Export Finance can help support small businesses in Scotland. With the Scottish Whisky Awards being held in Glasgow at the end of this month, I couldn’t think of a more apt opportunity to toast to Ferguson Whisky’s success.”