In the Welsh Wind Distillery is a small but ambitious craft distillery on the west Wales coast which opened its doors in January 2018. Co-founders and directors Ellen Wakelam and Alex Jungmayr ran the business together initially, and then began to take on more staff and work with other local freelancers to develop their offering.
The business now crafts bespoke custom branded spirits for other businesses, and launched its own, now award-winning, Signature style gin in 2020. Alongside gin, the distillery is also pioneering a ‘grain to glass’ Welsh whisky.
The micro business employs ten members of staff, some of whom began as apprentices.
There are a variety of roles within the company from distillers, who are responsible for the production of spirits; marketing and sales professionals, who manage brand development and customer engagement; HR and management staff, who oversee the operations and staff development; and apprentices, who are learning the trade and contributing to the distillery’s growth.
Co-founder Ellen Wakelam said: “Although the distillery sector is expanding fast in Wales, there is a lack of homegrown experience, particularly as far as whisky is concerned. A lot of the available training focuses on brewing rather than distilling and, while brewing skills can be relevant to an extent, they will only take someone so far.
“We have accessed a variety of training to support the business as it grows and develops. Initially, our distiller attending an industry-distilling course, which provided vital input.
“More recently, as we’ve taken on more staff, developed a team and got to grips with more regulatory requirements, we have accessed bespoke HR training to upskill one of our managers in this area, and a bespoke management course for a new distillery co-ordinator.
The distillery secured funding for essential training for their staff in areas such as first aid, fire safety and customer service. The support was crucial in advancing their business, leading to industry recognition and the establishments of robust management systems.
Ellen added: “Following the sector specific training we initially completed, the path has led us to become an award-winning distillery. We have also received funding to train and give confidence to a new manager to get the best out of her small team – something she has really embraced with the support of the training.
“We also have more robust HR systems in place and a more focused strategy for dealing with HR matters. This gives us confidence that we are fully compliant with various regulatory requirements.
“We have been able to access vital training that we probably would not have been able to afford in order to grow our business and to upskill our team. With more growth ahead of us, we have been able to lay a solid foundation on which to build.”
Concluding Ellen said,
“In the ever-evolving landscape of the food and drink industry in Wales, there are a multitude of roles that cater to a wide array of skills and passions. From crafting bespoke spirits to innovating in sustainable practices, the opportunities for growth and development are boundless.
“Joining this industry means becoming part of a community that values tradition while embracing innovation, offering a fulfilling career path that contributes to the cultural and economic structure of Wales.”
Whether you are a company looking to upskill your staff, or you are looking to join the exciting food and drink industry through apprenticeships and training, visit our jobs notice board for some inspiration…