Charles Maxwell’s family has been producing gin in London since the late 17^th century, when his eighth great-grandfather was apprenticed to a member of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, of which Maxwell was elected Master in 2008.

He has worked in spirits industry for over 40 years. In 1996, he founded Thames Distillers which provides a unique service creating, distilling and bottling gin, vodka, rum and other spirits in London.

Maxwell is also a director of The Gin Guild, where he received the first Lifetime Achievement Award for services to the gin industry in 2014.

Maxwell has judged spirits for the IWSC for over 15 years.