Charles grew up in a farming family in Waverley, South Taranaki. He graduated Canterbury University with a Bachelor of Commerce before starting his career in logistics with one of New Zealand’s largest exporters.

In 2014, Charles founded Dickie Direct after recognising the opportunity to import Urea from China at competitive prices, driven by increased Chinese urea production and favourable containerised shipping rates into New Zealand. In the early years, he placed significant emphasis on researching products and suppliers, traveling globally to discover more efficient nutrient forms. With these innovations, Charles was fortunate to build a highly capable team, transforming Dickie Direct into the full-service fertiliser business it is today.