Having graduated with a First Class (Hons) degree in psychology and philosophy from the University of Nottingham, she began working for the Bromsgrove and Redditch Standards, where she qualified as a journalist. She went on to become chief reporter of the UK's biggest-selling regional daily newspaper. After studying towards a MA in Broadcast Journalism, she worked as a freelance journalist for Channel 5 News, ITN Productions and the BBC, ultimately securing a role as a producer for ITN. Charlotte has been shortlisted for a number of prestigious awards, including Young Journalist of the Year and Student of the Year in the Midland Media Awards, and won Digital Scoop of the Year in the ITV News Awards 2014.