Based in Speyside in the heart of Scotch malt whisky country, Chartered Environmentalist Anne Dolan works as UK Environment Coordinator for Edrington, an international premium spirits company. As Edrington’s environment specialist, Anne supports environmental management, ISO 14001 Certification, environmental compliance and sustainability at Edrington’s UK Scotch whisky distilleries, warehousing, cooperage and bottling site.
After studying chemistry to PhD level, Anne moved into industry where she worked on a pilot distillery waste water treatment project, then to a brewing company technical centre laboratory as an R&D and instrumentation chemist. While there, Anne studied for a professional brewing qualification, the Institute of Brewing and Distilling Diploma in Brewing.
Anne then moved to work in a Scotch whisky distillery laboratory and technical support at Edrington. Her role was mainly environmentally related analysis but developed to include wider Environmental Management support. It was then a natural progression to become the company environmental professional. Anne’s role enables her to use her chemistry, brewing, distilling and environmental knowledge together with her interest in wildlife and nature every day.
After becoming the company environmental specialist, Anne wanted to enhance her professional environmental qualifications and demonstrate competence. As a longstanding member of the RSC and viewing CEnv as the gold standard professional environmental qualification, Anne jumped at the chance when the RSC became a Licensed Body for awarding CEnv in 2016, receiving her CEnv Certificate a few months later in 2017.
For the last six years, Anne has worked on the completion of environmental support for the construction and commissioning of a large Scotch whisky distillery and is currently moving on to next stage, supporting Habitat Management and Enhancement of the surrounding estate. Anne’s current focus is also on her ongoing CPD, and an application for Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Anne’s top tips for prospective Chartered Environmentalists:
I invested a considerable amount of time honing my application form and CV, and specifically addressing the competences listed with relevant evidence from my professional experience. Although I didn’t have supporters who met the criteria of being RSC Members or CChem, CSci or CEnv, I contacted the RSC for advice, and was easily able to agree suitable supporters.
Do attend any webinars or workshop sessions run by SocEnv or Licensed Bodies, help and advice is available. Believe in yourself and do apply when you feel you have the experience and knowledge to meet the competences.
Profile correct as of Q4 2023.