Brown-Foreman has kept its portfolio relatively simple and its ambitions broad by focusing on these markets in Europe.

I'm a kibitzer with a broad portfolio.

Our objective is simple: to give Europe back its dynamism, ... It has all the assets to be at front of the global economy. But, faced with international competition, there is urgency.

Meanwhile, ... as Europe clawed its way out of a recessionary pit, rising stock markets helped boost the compensation of the highest earners -- many of whom have generous share awards and options -- closer to the levels enjoyed by their industry peers in America.

London is still seen as the crossroads of all markets. Europe is roughly on its doorstep, one hour distant, New York is five hours distant and there's the cross-over with the Asian markets.

Someone has done this before. George Foreman did it,