Paola Leather, one of the UK’s most experienced female brewers, has returned to St Austell Brewery as quality manager.

In the past nine year, Paola — who previously worked in St Austell’s quality team between 2005 and 2011 — has worked as Skinner’s head brewer, head of brewing services at Campden BRI, and brewing production manager at Brains.

Paola was born and grew up in the Colombian capital of Bogota. While living in South America, she worked in quality for a chocolate company and a coffee federation.

She is also director of her own best-selling rum business. Rathlee golden barrel-aged rum is distilled in Latin America and blended with Cornish water.

Paola said: “It’s great to be back working with Roger, who I worked with for six years, and the rest of the brewing team.

“I look forward to getting stuck in and working on perfecting the quality of some of my favourite Cornish beers — and some exciting new brews too.”

Roger Ryman, brewing director at St Austell Brewery, added: “I’m delighted to welcome Paola back to Cornwall, following her stint at Brains brewery. Paola has a broad breadth of knowledge and experience — in beer and beyond — and we feel lucky to have her back in our team again.”