Charli Baptie: From West End Performer to People & Experience Leader at SurrealDB

Charli Baptie is a compelling example of a modern professional whose career bridges two seemingly different worlds: the performing arts and people leadership in the tech sector. Known first as a respected actor and singer on major UK and European stages, and now as a People & Experience Manager at SurrealDB, Charli Baptie has built a career defined by creativity, empathy, resilience, and a deep commitment to inclusive workplaces.

Who Is Charli Baptie?

A Multifaceted Professional Journey

Charli Baptie is a British People Manager, Mental Health First Aider, and former professional actor and singer. Based in St Neots, England, she currently works in a hybrid role connected to the London tech ecosystem.

Her professional identity is shaped by two strong foundations:

• Nearly a decade on the West End and international theatre circuit

• A successful transition into People & Experience leadership within fast-paced startups

This rare combination allows her to bring human-centred thinking, emotional intelligence, and strong communication skills into organisational culture and employee experience design.

Charli Baptie Age and Early Life

Charli Baptie was born on 25 March 1984, making her 41 years old as of 2025. She publicly celebrated her 40th birthday in March 2024, confirming her age directly.

Her long career history reflects early responsibility and consistency, with professional roles beginning in the early 2000s alongside her academic studies.

Education and Professional Training

Academic Background

Charli’s education reflects a strong balance between creativity and organisational understanding:

Higher Education

• Master of Music (MMus) in Vocal Performance – Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

  • Graduated with Distinction

• BA (Hons) in Theatre Studies & Marketing – University of Derby

Professional Qualifications

• CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management (in progress, 2025–2026)

This academic mix explains her ability to move seamlessly between artistic environments and structured people operations.

Charli Baptie and Wicked: Her Theatre Career

West End and Touring Experience

One of the most searched aspects of her career is Charli Baptie Wicked, referring to her long-standing involvement with Wicked the Musical.

Key Highlights

• Performed as an Actor/Singer with Wicked London Productions Ltd

• Nearly 10 years working on Wicked and other major productions

• Appeared in:

  • Wicked the Musical

  • The Phantom of the Opera

  • West Side Story

• Worked across the West End, UK tours, and European tours

Transferable Skills from Theatre

Her stage career developed skills that later became central to her leadership style:

• Performing under pressure

• Team collaboration in high-stakes environments

• Clear communication and emotional awareness

• Adaptability and resilience

These competencies now underpin her success in people management.

Transition into People & Experience Leadership

Charli Baptie at SurrealDB

Charli Baptie currently serves as People & Experience Manager at SurrealDB, a growing tech company operating in a remote-first environment.

Previous Role

• People Partner at SurrealDB (2023–2025)

Core Responsibilities

Her work spans the full employee lifecycle, including:

• Recruitment and inclusive hiring practices

• Employer branding and careers content

• Onboarding frameworks (30/60/90-day plans)

• Performance reviews and feedback systems

• Remote culture and employee engagement

• Exit interviews and retention insights

• Mental health initiatives and MHFA programmes

She has also led the setup and migration of applicant tracking systems and supported hiring teams across both technical and business roles.

Values, Wellbeing, and Mental Health Advocacy

A Human-Centred Approach

A defining feature of Charli Baptie’s professional identity is her focus on wellbeing and mental health. As a Mental Health First Aider, she has:

• Founded internal mental health initiatives

• Helped create dedicated wellbeing hubs

• Advocated for psychologically safe workplaces

• Embedded company values into daily people practices

Her leadership style prioritises inclusion, engagement, and authenticity, rather than purely administrative HR functions.

Earlier Career and Operational Experience

Before specialising in People & Experience roles, Charli Baptie built a solid operational foundation across:

• Human Resources administration

• Business administration

• Event coordination

• Process support and service monitoring

• Customer service and complaints management

This background contributes to her strong understanding of systems, compliance, and organisational workflow.

Personal Life and Long-Term Stability

Marriage and Personal Milestones

Charli Baptie married in February 2011, following a long-term relationship that began in 2002. While she occasionally shares anniversary milestones, she keeps her husband’s identity private, maintaining a clear boundary between public career and personal life.

This consistency mirrors her professional approach: open about values and experiences, discreet about private details.

Why Charli Baptie Stands Out

A Rare Career Combination

Charli Baptie’s profile stands out because it demonstrates:

• A successful career transition without abandoning core strengths

• The application of creative skills to corporate culture

• A commitment to ethical, people-first leadership

• Long-term professional and personal stability

Her journey reflects a broader shift in modern workplaces, where empathy, communication, and creativity are recognised as leadership strengths.

Quick Info

Final Thoughts

Charli Baptie represents a new generation of People & Experience leaders: adaptable, emotionally intelligent, and deeply human in approach. From the stages of Wicked to shaping workplace culture at SurrealDB, her career shows how diverse experiences can combine to create meaningful professional impact.

As organisations increasingly value wellbeing, inclusion, and authentic leadership, Charli Baptie’s career path stands as a strong example of how those principles can be lived, not just stated.

FAQs

1. Who is Charli Baptie?

Charli Baptie is a UK-based People & Experience Manager at SurrealDB, a Mental Health First Aider, and a former professional actor and singer. She is known for her work on major West End productions, including Wicked the Musical, before transitioning into people leadership within the tech sector.

2. How old is Charli Baptie?

Charli Baptie was born on 25 March 1984. She is 41 years old as of 2026 and publicly celebrated her 40th birthday in March 2024.

3. Is Charli Baptie married?

Yes. Charli Baptie is married. She married in February 2011 after a long-term relationship that began in 2002. She keeps her husband’s identity private and does not share personal details publicly.

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