In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Emma Millar, whiskey and gin distiller at the recently-established Hinch Distillery in Co Down
What was your first job?
When I was 14, I got a waitressing job in a café. I enjoyed the interaction with customers and loved watching people connect over food. I knew then that I wanted a career in the food and drink industry.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a BSc honours degree in food design and nutrition and MSc in brewing and distilling.
What do you attribute your success to?
Focus, hard work and commitment.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
Bubbly, sociable and easy going.
Who do you look up to in business?
I admire strong female leaders such as Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister. The way she handled the country’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has been impressive. She is a strong female leader and a brilliant role model for young females who want to be industry leaders.
Only 5 per cent of the world’s leaders are female and I think with individuals such as Jacinda Ardern, setting an example of what it possible, this will inspire others to pursue their ambitions and goals.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
I treat everyone as an equal. We’re working as a team to achieve shared objectives, so it is important to be as supportive as possible to colleagues. If we can draw upon each other’s strengths, our chances of success will be greater.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
It would be the same thing that businesses around the world would want to change, Covid-19! The restrictions that are required to curb the pandemic are also having a significant impact on businesses.
What website or app could you not do without?
WhatsApp, it’s an instrumental communication tool, both in work and personally. Another favourite is Spotify. I love listening to podcasts and music in order to wind down after work.
What was the last book you read?
I tend to have several books on the go at one time. The last two were ‘After You’ by Jojo Moyes and ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k’ by Mark Manson.
What car do you drive?
An Audi A4.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
As a distiller for a Scottish company, I launched a new gin brand and opened the largest residential gin school in Scotland (at that time), which could hold up to 26 people. It was an amazing learning experience.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
I love to bake. I actually thought about pursuing it full-time after I spent a period of time working in a bakery.
