The distilling team, led by Abhi Banik of Kolkata, is drawn from India, Nigeria, Spain, Belgium and Hong Kong.

Stephen Russell, Production Director and whose family founded the distillery comments:

“Abhi Banik has assembled a really exciting, multi-talented team and their blend of skills creates a vibrant sense of creativity in the distillery. In addition, their ethnicities nicely mirror the historically multicultural mix of Chatham’s historic dockyards, bringing such a wide range of viewpoints and knowledge to the creation of our premium spirits. We are extremely lucky to have assembled such an exciting team.”

Head Distiller Abhishek Banik’s interest in the creation of flavour drove him to design The Banik Still, the only patented Gin Still in the industry. The still not only treats the more sensitive botanicals more gently, but it also extracts a higher percentage of their flavours which in turn diminishes botanic wastage.

Growing up in Bangalore and Kolkata with their varied culinary disciplines created so many flavour memories and the curiosity to blend botanicals and spices. Bangalore also opened the doors to Heriot-Watt University’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling, where Abhi studied and then taught. Abhi has been associated with Copper Rivet Distillery from its infancy, personally designing its equipment and product development.

Left-Right: Sergio, Liam, Abhi, Aaron, Fung

Aaron Fayose was born in Nigeria, moving to England to become a Mechanical Engineering graduate at the University of Greenwich’s School of Engineering, sited just a few minutes from Copper Rivet. Aaron Initially joined the team as bartender in 2016, but the actual production of alcohol peaked his curiosity. His primary roles are overseeing all aspects of production, ensuring the company is adhering to relevant safety standards and constructing production optimisation strategies.

Sergio Penades Vera was born in Spain and has a degree in chemical engineering and a master’s in environmental sustainability. He works on streamlining the production processes, while maintaining a safe workplace. His goal is to make Copper Rivet as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible.

Liam De Donder hails from Belgium and joined Copper Rivet Distillery for work experience. He is in his final year of a bachelor’s degree on Biochemistry from Odisee University College, Ghent, Belgium. He is training in basic brewing and distilling, and is working particularly on Copper Rivet’s sustainability plan, creating energy from by-products.

Tsz Fung Ng was born in Hong Kong. His main duty in the distillery is to assist production, machinery servicing and maintenance. This is his first distillery, and he is especially drawn to Copper Rivet’s Masthouse whisky, first released in November 2020.

The Chatham Historic Dockyard, for which Copper Rivet’s distillery was The Pumphouse Number 5, was established in Chatham in the mid-16th century. The dockyard received its first royal visit from Elizabeth I in 1573, launching its first ship in 1586 and its last - the Oberon-class submarine Ocelot - in 1966. Chatham is steeped in history, launching Nelson’s ship Victory in 1765 and home to Charles Dickens (1812-1870) in his youth. He revisited in 1861 and watched a ship being built for the first time there of iron – rather than wood.

The Historic Chatham Dockyard is now an excellent visitor experience – winner of Best Large Tourist Attraction in the South East.

Copper Rivet Distillery entertained over 15,000 visitors in 2019.