Hitting the ground running in 2021, Josh Davies was not discouraged by the tightening restrictions upon his arrival in Sydney – moving from Melbourne no less! The new NSW Brand Ambassador for The Exchange says “working in the industry abroad and now back home has made me realise that no matter where you are or where you work in the world, there will be some form of 6 degree of separation with a bartender somewhere along the line. Our industry is so inclusive and for someone who is essentially starting from scratch in Australia, I love it!”
Originally from Australia, Josh like many, discovered bartending abroad while in the UK for 2015 cricket season, where he traded the stumps for shakers and fell in love with the industry. With a one-way ticket back to the UK in his pocket, after a quick trip back home, Davies kickstarted his career at the award winning Hedonist, where he discovered cocktail competitions and within the year took home the Jack Daniels Tennessee Calling II title. After two years bar managing for the iconic Leeds neighbourhood bar, a new challenge presented itself where Josh was tasked with creating and training his own bartending team and leading the bar set up and operations for a new Italian restaurant.
In May 2019 Josh began his Brand Ambassador journey with Four Pillars in Northern UK and fell in love with this role, building on his experience and passion for teaching. Josh retuned back to Australia toward the end of 2019 but was swiftly snapped up to work at the Four Pillars Distillery locally and it was after making an impression hosting The Exchange/Beam Suntory team that he was approached for the role of NSW Brand Ambassador for The Exchange.
“What excites me most about the role is educating and helping develop and foster careers in the industry.” Teaching bartenders and consumers about the diversity of spirits and helping bartenders balance the demands of bar work and personal life are just a few of the elements that drew him to The Exchange Brand Ambassador role. “It’s my dream job and I feel a great sense of joy in that I can now try and help others better themselves in their career and personal life in the same way that I was lucky enough to have had happen to me throughout my own career.”
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