As part of her role, Charlie creates and distils all of Burleighs’ range which currently includes seven different varieties. As well as hand bottling and preparing for dispatch to customers across the UK, Charlie also develops new recipes and ideas for upcoming products and collaborations, and manages the Burleighs Gin distillery.
Hi! My name is Charlie, and I am the head distiller at Burleighs Gin in Leicestershire. I am originally from the West Midlands but now live in South Derbyshire and have been working at Burleighs for four and a half years. My entire working career has always involved working in the drinks industry, whether working part time in pubs for a bit of extra money while at university, to being manager of a pub in Derby city centre, to where I am now, making my own gin.
My main role at Burleighs is to ensure that we always have stock to sell; if we have a product that we are running out of then I need to distil more of that gin and get it bottled. Everything at Burleighs is done by hand, so it can be quite a physical job but I love everything about it, especially when I get to develop new recipes. This involves looking at new botanicals and different flavours to create something new and exciting – something that is going to make us standout against the many other gins on the market.
Not at all! I never knew growing up what I wanted to do and have had many different careers to get me to where I am today. I am a fully qualified hairdresser, I have a degree in special educational needs and now I make gin. My working career has definitely been varied but I have always taken the path of doing something I enjoy. I love the job I do now, I get to be creative whilst working with some amazing people – everyone at Burleighs is passionate about the brand and it really is an enjoyable place to work.
If I ever have faced a challenge, then I always deal with it head on. I never feel like I can’t do anything, which I suppose is a good trait to have. There are times when a goal is taking longer to achieve than I had hoped for, this is usually where I start to lose enthusiasm and heart, but I always take a step back, evaluate and go for it again.
My proudest achievement so far is developing the recipe for our latest edition, National Forest. This gin brings flavours of blackberries, cherries and elderflower to give a fresh and fruity taste. The gin has just been awarded five stars by Difford’s Guide and we are also hoping it’s going to do well at the IWSC awards in the spring – fingers crossed!
Having the support of family and friends is always a massive factor in achieving success. My family are so supportive of what I do, they love that I am one of very few female distillers in Great Britain and help to promote the Burleighs brand as much as possible.
To get to where I am at Burleighs, I was the previous distiller’s mentee – I was a novice when I started at Burleighs and learnt all I know now by training here at the distillery. I would like to go on to get a distilling qualification, something I am hoping to achieve next year. I do have an assistant in the distillery, who is currently under my guidance, learning all there is to know about distilling. I hope I can pass on all the knowledge I have and that he continues to love the job as much as I do!
I think the main point would be to try and encourage more women to be more confident in their passions – if you want to achieve a goal then you should just go for it, what is there to lose? By building confidence in women, by promoting what women can do and what struggles we have overcome to get to where we are today, this will help to empower more women. Times have definitely changed for the better and women are now getting more praise for what they do – the ideal isn’t quite there yet but it does give promise for the future.
My younger self was really carefree and didn’t really take anything too seriously – I have always only ever chosen things like career paths, if I know I’m going to enjoy them, which is great, but several times in the past I have decided to do something without really thinking it through thoroughly, which can leave you in a sticky situation. For example, 10 years ago I decided to go travelling with a friend in Australia for six months – we had so much fun but it wasn’t all supposed to be fun, we needed to find jobs out there in order to make a bit more money, which was definitely harder than we both ever expected. We saw some and had some amazing adventures, but it was the hardest thing I have ever done! So I would definitely tell my younger self to take time, step back and evaluate the situation, to have a bigger think about whether it is the correct path to go down.
My challenge is always going to be to create amazing tasting gins using ingredients that hopefully no one has used before. This aim is getting harder and harder as more and more distilleries open, offering fresh and new tasting gins, but it is always going to be something I strive to achieve. We are hoping to launch three new products this year, all with a different concept and flavour, so fingers crossed everyone enjoys the taste as much as us!
April
23apr12:0013:00The Perfect CV Masterclass | WeAreTheCity & City CV
23/04/2025 12:00 - 13:00(GMT+01:00)
WeAreTheCity & City CV are thrilled to present
Your CV is the passport to your professional future. The right one will bypass the technology and the initial 5-second human scan to earmark you for your target role. Isn’t that what a great CV is all about?
Writing your own CV doesn’t come naturally. Everyone benefits from fresh eyes, perspective and industry insight. Your CV must articulate your distinctive skills and attributes in a way that shows the value you bring to your future employer. With fewer open roles in the market, it’s never been more important to understand what recruiters look for in a CV, overhaul your CV and have your burning questions answered.
In this one-hour masterclass, learn CV writing tips and strategies from Victoria McLean, Founder and CEO of City CV – and a career industry expert, award winning CV writer and coach, who has helped over 20,000 candidates secure their dream role. Victoria has developed a nuanced and strategic approach, fusing market knowledge with a deep understanding of recruitment techniques to help build your brand and create a compelling CV story.
Learn how to create a strong and authentic CV which will get you noticed for the right reasons. Expertise and insider knowledge gathered from years of international CV writing and recruiting will be shared, including:
Looking for more career support? Explore our Career Resources page. Ready to take the next step? Browse the latest opportunities on our Job Board and find your perfect role today!
24apr10:0010:45Menopause & Mental Health | Free Taster Session
24/04/2025 10:00 - 10:45(GMT+01:00)
Menopause can have a profound impact on mental health – but too often, this is misunderstood, overlooked, or even ignored in professional environments. While organisations are
The truth is, for many women and those experiencing menopause, symptoms can go far beyond hot flushes. Brain fog, anxiety, low mood, and sleep disruption can affect confidence, performance, and overall mental health. Without the right support in place, these challenges can lead to increased absenteeism, presenteeism, or even cause people to leave the workforce altogether.
This 45-minute session is designed to change that. It’s a practical, supportive space for managers, HR professionals and wellbeing leads to build the confidence to spot the signs, open up conversations and create a culture where no one has to suffer in silence.
Whether you’re at the beginning of this journey or looking to strengthen your organisation’s approach, this session will help you better understand the mental health impact of menopause – and empower you to respond with empathy and confidence.
You’ll walk away with:
✅ A clearer understanding of how menopause can affect mental health in the workplace
✅ Confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling – and how to offer support
✅ A simple, effective approach to starting wellbeing conversations that make a difference
DATE: Thursday 24 April 2025
TIME: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
This isn’t about becoming an expert – it’s about showing up, listening, and learning how to create an environment where people feel seen, heard and supported.
Because when organisations take menopause seriously, everyone benefits.
Let’s start the conversation.
29apr11:4514:00Women in Business Networking - London networking - London City
29/04/2025 11:45 - 14:00(GMT+01:00)
The Anthologist
58 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BB
Kick off your 2025 in style by networking with us. A fabulous mix of formal & informal networking over a facilitated business lunch
WIBN networking is here to create a platform for like-minded women, who passionately drive their business forward and collaborate with others to help them achieve success.
WIBN is a business network organisation for women business owners and employed professionals, who network each month over a facilitated business lunch. Our members support and encourage each other through collaboration and the sharing of business contacts and opportunities. The meetings are structured and effective, whilst also being supportive and friendly!
As Women Business Owners we know that one person can transform your business but think what you could achieve with a tribe of supportive and passionate business owners?? At WIBN we recognise that often women lack relevant networking opportunities simply because they network in a different way to men!
Our monthly meetings are a fabulous mix of formal and informal networking which includes your own 60 secs pitch, a focused spotlight session from a member and lunch.Our philosophy in this group is simple – No sister left behind! Come along to our WIBN group as a visitor and experience the potential to grow your business in a more productive way.
WIBN has a professional exclusivity policy so it’s one profession per group – see below * . As long as your profession is not already represented you would be welcome to visit a group twice before deciding if you want to join.
WIBN is a monthly membership group and a 12 month commitment will be required after you have visited a maximum of two times. Full details and prices will be given at the meeting.
*in the event that your profession is already represented at your chosen meeting then the organiser saves the right to propose another place or date. If we cannot relocate you then a full refund will be given.
30apr10:0016:00Women's Health Champion Course (CPD Accredited)
30/04/2025 10:00 - 16:00(GMT+01:00)
Periods, menopause,
They’re everyday realities for millions of women and they directly impact performance, engagement and retention.
But stigma, silence and a lack of knowledge mean many managers and HR professionals don’t know how to spot the signs or have the right conversations.
It’s time to change that.
Our Women’s Health Champion Training is designed to break the silence and build real, practical support in your organisation – every single day.
Delivered by two expert trainers, this engaging course covers:
✅ Menstrual health and managing period-related challenges
✅ Fertility, pregnancy, and baby loss (including returning to work)
✅ Gynaecological conditions like endometriosis, fibroids and PCOS
✅ Menopause and long-term wellbeing
✅ Practical strategies to create a truly inclusive culture
Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Place: Zoom
Cost: £495 per person
Or get in touch if you’d like us to create a bespoke course for your organisation.