David Wilkinson Email & Phone Number

Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Following the completion of the KTP project I have become a permanent member of the team at Edinburgh Gin, Spencerfield Spirit Company having been bought out by Ian Macleod Distillers shortly before the project completed. Focus now is on running the two distilleries and producing quality and consistency across the range of Edinburgh Gin products. Ties with Heriot-Watt University are being maintained to further new product development and the presentation of an academic research paper at WDSC… Show more Following the completion of the KTP project I have become a permanent member of the team at Edinburgh Gin, Spencerfield Spirit Company having been bought out by Ian Macleod Distillers shortly before the project completed. Focus now is on running the two distilleries and producing quality and consistency across the range of Edinburgh Gin products. Ties with Heriot-Watt University are being maintained to further new product development and the presentation of an academic research paper at WDSC 2017.Highlights of my time here have included:Seaside Gin winning Gold at the 2023 Scottish Gin Awards in the Distilled categoryOrange & Basil gin winning Gold at the 2023 Scottish Gin Awards in the Citrus categoryWinners of the Product Development Team of the Year at the 2022 Scottish Gin AwardsEdinburgh Gin Classic winning the Gold medal at the 2022 Scottish Gin Awards for best London DryStrawberry & Pink Peppercorn Gin winning Gold at the 2022 Scottish Gin Awards for best Berry Flavoured GinCannonball Navy Strength named category champion for gin at the Bartenders' Brand Awards 2021 and again in 2023Named Distiller of the Year at Icons of Gin Awards 2019Scottish Gin Awards Innovation of the Year 2018 for '1670', a gin flavoured with botanicals from the Royal Botanic Garden EdinburghIWSC Gold medal and Spirits Business Master medal for Cannonball Navy strength ginSpirits Business Gold medals for Classic, Seaside, Cannonball and Strawberry & Pink Pepper gins Show less

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

I have worked at the Edinburgh Gin Distillery as part of a 30 month Knowledge Transfer Partnership graduate scheme where I was employed by Heriot-Watt University but seconded to the Spencerfield Spirit Company. The scheme involved setting up the first Edinburgh Gin distillery in 2014 and a second, larger distillery in 2016. The project saw a selection of gins designed on a lab scale before being produced commercially at the two distilleries. 3 of those products are now produced permanently and… Show more I have worked at the Edinburgh Gin Distillery as part of a 30 month Knowledge Transfer Partnership graduate scheme where I was employed by Heriot-Watt University but seconded to the Spencerfield Spirit Company. The scheme involved setting up the first Edinburgh Gin distillery in 2014 and a second, larger distillery in 2016. The project saw a selection of gins designed on a lab scale before being produced commercially at the two distilleries. 3 of those products are now produced permanently and 2 are seasonally recurring. The partnership between Edinburgh Gin and Heriot-Watt has given scope for joint projects with MSc Brewing & Distilling students to give more scientific input into the product development process. The projects let to 8 dissertations being written on the science of gin production, giving insight as to how flavours can be identified on both a scientific and sensory scale. Show less

Durham

Head Distiller at a newly formed craft distillery in Durham, specialising in gin production. First 3 months was spent conducting research at Heriot-Watt University followed by a period of setting up the new distillery prior to commencement of gin production and launch of the new brand.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

MSc Brewing & Distilling which included a research project developing a new gin recipe using seaweed as a botanical.

I worked in the Revenues department assisting with the collection of Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates. Key responsibilities have been:Keeping accounts up to date with new information such as a change in the liable party or contact details and making inquiries with third parties such as landlords and letting agents to obtain accurate information.Dealing with customer queries both orally and in writing regarding all aspects of their Council Tax or Non-Domestic Rates… Show more I worked in the Revenues department assisting with the collection of Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates. Key responsibilities have been:Keeping accounts up to date with new information such as a change in the liable party or contact details and making inquiries with third parties such as landlords and letting agents to obtain accurate information.Dealing with customer queries both orally and in writing regarding all aspects of their Council Tax or Non-Domestic Rates account(s).Negotiating payment plans with customers who have fallen into arrears.Managing accounts where the liable party has become insolvent, submitting claims to and liaising with insolvency practitioners for any required information to keep accounts accurate.Preparing files for cases being heard in Court and prioritising workloads to ensure strict deadlines were met regarding Court cases.Instructing recovery action such as the use of bailiffs to recover debt and processing reports on cases returned from bailiffs. Show less

I worked in a variety of roles in Northern Rock's Buy to Let department. Key responsibilities: Processing mortgage applications from the point of receipt until authorisationInputting all necessary data into several of the company's computer systemsLiaising with brokers via phone, fax and email to extract any outstanding informationAssessing and inputting valuation reports & items of post received regarding the caseA flexible approach to work as I was seconded to… Show more I worked in a variety of roles in Northern Rock's Buy to Let department. Key responsibilities: Processing mortgage applications from the point of receipt until authorisationInputting all necessary data into several of the company's computer systemsLiaising with brokers via phone, fax and email to extract any outstanding informationAssessing and inputting valuation reports & items of post received regarding the caseA flexible approach to work as I was seconded to different teams to meet workloadsAbility to prioritise tasks based on time sensitivity.Exceeded the benchmark for both quality and productivity at every monthly review. Show less

For seven years I worked as a part-time barman, usually on weekends. Responsibilities included serving customers, maintaining stock, ensuring tidiness and efficiency, training new employees and dealing with complaints from customers. On weekend shifts there were often a limited number of staff and I rapidly learned how to work quickly and under pressure without making mistakes.; During my time at university I supported myself with a variety of part time jobs, including; posting leaflets for an… Show more For seven years I worked as a part-time barman, usually on weekends. Responsibilities included serving customers, maintaining stock, ensuring tidiness and efficiency, training new employees and dealing with complaints from customers. On weekend shifts there were often a limited number of staff and I rapidly learned how to work quickly and under pressure without making mistakes.; During my time at university I supported myself with a variety of part time jobs, including; posting leaflets for an estate agency, working as a sales assistant in a local bakery, call centre work for broadband troubleshooting and commission based door to door sales. Show less

Wset Level 3 In Wines, Pass With Distinction

Course studied with Lothian Wine School. Pass with Distinction for both theory and tasting.

Wset Level 2 In Wines, Pass With Distinction

Course studied with Lothian Wine School

Msc, Brewing And Distilling

Bachelor Of Laws (Llb), Law

(Exempting) with upper second class honours

Education record

Physics Grade A, Mathematics Grade B, Chemistry Grade D.; Law Grade A

Education record

passes graded A*-C including A's in Maths, English Language, English Literature and Dual Award Science.