He will join Ivano Tonutti, the master of botanicals, who selects each of the gin's botanicals from locations around the world.
Fordham had worked for Pernod Ricard's Beefeater gin as distillery manager since 2008.
Bombay's distillation process of vapour infusion differs from the traditional gin distillation methods as rather than boiling the botanicals directly into the spirit, the botanicals are held separately in perforated copper baskets. When the heated vapours rise, the flavours of the botanicals are captured by the spirit.
Fordham said: "To be involved in the establishment of the Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm looking forward to working with the team to ensure that the values of care, skill and imagination that have made Bombay Sapphire gin famous remain at the very core of the distilling process."
Bombay Sapphire is currently made at G&J Greenall in Warrington. The brand belongs to Bacardi.
