Hi, I’m Charli, a 32-year-old originally from West Sussex. After studying photography at Winchester School of Art to become a forensic photographer, I took an unexpected turn into the coffee industry while waiting to join the police force. I quickly fell in love with coffee and made the bold decision to pursue it full-time. Starting as a barista, I worked my way up to a managerial role and became passionate about learning the entire process of coffee production. This led me to coffee roasting, and I earned my SCA Barista Trainer qualification, along with certifications in Sensory and Roasting Foundations.

Over time, my focus shifted to training others, and after being made redundant, I found myself seeking a company as dedicated to upskilling as I was. That’s when I joined Kiwi & Yuzu, where I now support employers and employees by providing guidance on apprenticeships, breaking down the stigma that apprenticeships are only for young people, and helping companies understand the benefits of levy funding. I’m committed to building relationships, networking, and fostering partnerships to create environments where today’s employees can become tomorrow’s leaders.

I’m excited about sharing what we do with more employers and employees as I work toward my personal goal of a set number of learners within a year.