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Stuart Cockram

Architecture/Project Management

A successful career in Architecture, Design and Development for more than 25 years, Stuart has become a specialist in delivering unique, attractive and sustainable developments both in the UK and internationally. He project-managed the four separate sites at Ballindalloch Distillery and designed the bonded warhousing at Marypark Steading and the interior design at the distillery site. He also designed and built the Cotswolds Distillery's bonded warehouse in Shipston.

Charlie Smith 

Master Distiller

Talisker • Cardhu • Craigellachie • Glenkinchie • Ballindalloch 

 

Charlie was inducted into  Whisky Magazine's Hall of Fame in 2016 — a far cry from when he began his career in 1973 designing and installing mashtuns, draff hoppers and distillery process tanks. He joined the industry ‘proper’ two years later when he started work at Pittyvaich Distillery. Following several promotions, he transferred to Dufftown Glenlivet Distillery, and then 20 years later to look after Cardhu Distillery and Craigellachie Distillery. In late 1998 he moved from his native Speyside to manage Glenkinchie Distillery. Charlie’s swansong for Diageo was as manager at Talisker, where he worked from 2004 until his retirement in 2007. Unable to stay away, Charlie chose to accept the biggest challenge of his career in 2012 when he agreed to work with the Macpherson-Grant family to build Ballindalloch Distillery. As Master Distiller, Charlie helped the family realise their dream of building Scotland’s first single estate distillery. He stepped back from day-to-day operations in late 2015, but remains Master Distiller at Ballindalloch in a consultancy role.

Diane Tarshis

Business Plans/Startup Advising

As a seasoned startup advisor and founder of Startup Distillery, Diane has spent more than 20 years working with entrepreneurs around the globe. Her unique firm specializes in advising startups and crafting custom business plans. She  combines her Wharton degree with expertise in finance, manufacturing, retail and operations to help her clients build profitable businesses and attract investors. Diane wrote the business plan for Cotswolds Distillery, resulting in its successful launch, and was the driving force in getting their Cotswolds Dry Gin onto the shelves of Binny’s Beverage Depot, a 32-store regional chain in the U.S. and the largest independent liquor dealer in the Midwest.

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