Our Story

In late 2019 a local authority led pop up shop project call 36 Salisbury on Salisbury's High Street showcased Wiltshire Makers to huge praise. The pop up ran for 5 months and had the potential to continue, however in the March of 2020 with the coronavirus pandemic impacting across the world, the project came to a close. 


Following the closure, a group of original artisans and project team members got together and formed Wiltshire Makers Community Interest Company (CIC) a not for profit company that would showcase and help sell the wonderful artisan food, drink, craft and gifts made across the county online and at local events and markets.


Now in it's forth year, the CIC will be focusing on the continuation of promoting our fabulous Artisans across the county at markets and events, online with a refreshed shop, supporting the artisan community with a partnership and finally.....continuing our pop up shop project. All this takes a huge amount of volunteer support from a small number of people, if you would like to be offer help and support, we would love to hear from you... info@wiltshiremakers.co.uk

Claire Burden - Chair


Salisbury born; Claire's career has taken her across the globe working for P&O Cruises before settling back in her home City where she has been involved in managing high profile events and projects in Wiltshire for the last 15 years.


In 2019, Claire was the Senior Project Manager for 36 Salisbury and is a founder of Wiltshire Makers. In 2023 Claire took over the Chair following the retirement of Terry Kemp.


Claire now works as a Senior Programme Manager for QinetiQ as well as managing the day to day running of the pop up shop and organising the Wiltshire Makers Markets.

Lija Broka - Treasurer


Lija is a Chartered Accountant and Tax Advisor, and Isa manager at Evelyn Partners. Her particular focus is on trusts and estates, FATCA and CRS reporting, and life assurance bonds. She is passionate about building communities, creativity and enterprise and has been involved in voluntary and business endeavours for many years.


At the moment in addition to being a director and treasurer of Wiltshire Makers CIC, Lija is also an artist, a partner in a family business, trustee and treasurer of Footprints Project, volunteering with Tax Help for Older People, and involved with Salisbury Chamber of Commerce. 

 

She is excited to be involved in the next chapter of Wiltshire Makers and the growth of our artisans.