Alex Ricard’s tribute to Bastille Day dead

As news of the Bastille Day terrorist attack in Nice emerged last night, Scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal was announcing the latest winners in its US$1m social entrepreneurship initiative, The Venture, in New York.

Speaking at the event at Pier 59, Alexandre Ricard, chairman and CEO of Chivas Regal owner Pernod Ricard, paused to remember the victims of the lorry attack on the seafront Promenade des Anglais.

He told the audience: ‘There was a terrible attack in Nice, South of France and more than 70 people perished. So all our thoughts go to the families of the people who are in pain as we speak tonight in France.

‘But you know what? Tonight actually what we are celebrating, we’re celebrating people that want to do good to this world – and this world desperately needs people that want to do good to this world.

‘So this is what I’d like to raise my glass to – the people who are going to change the world and make it a better place.’