MEET OUR TEAM
SJ STEPHENS TEAM OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS
SIMON STEPHENS
MA Oxon, Dip Arb (RFS), MArborA, MICFor, C Env
Simon is a Chartered Arboriculturist and a Chartered Environmentalist. He has an Oxford University forestry degree, the Technicians Certificate in Arboricuture and the Professional Diploma in Arboriculture, the UK's foremost professional arboricultural qualification. He has been a member of the Arboricultural Association since 1990 and is one of only around 40 Arboricultural Association Registered Consultants across the UK.
Prior to setting up the practice in 2003, Simon was Managing Director of The Landscape Group Ltd, employing over 500 staff. Over a 20 year period he gained extensive experience in arboriculture, woodland management and in project managing complex external works on development sites.
Simon has had non-executive posts, including as a director of Glendale Managed Services and Chairman of Glendale Countryside. For 8 years he was Chairman of Trustees of the charity Tree Aid. He has also worked as a Tree Officer.
Simon undertakes the full range of arboricultural consultancy, including an increasing volume of Expert Witness and Public Inquiry work.
CATHERINE FFORDE
HND Hort (Garden Design), Dip Arb L4(ABC) MCIHort, MArborA
Catherine is qualified in Horticulture, specialising in Garden Design, and Arboriculture. She has worked for S J Stephens Associates since 2011. Prior to this she ran her own garden design business and a small landscape company. Catherine continues to design gardens for private clients in addition to her arboricultural work.
Catherine carries out tree survey work, prepares arboricultural reports, undertakes arboricultural site supervision and provides soft landscape design services.
MARK SHARPLES
BSc, Tech ArborA, Dip Arb(RFS), MArborA
Following a Biological Sciences degree from Bangor, Mark has been working in the arboricultural industry since 1999. He has extensive experience as a climber and also holds the Professional Diploma in Arboriculture. Mark has been carrying out tree hazard assessments and arboricultural surveys for planning for SJ Stephens Associates since 2010. Mark also carries out climbing inspections for the company.
BOB WIDD
Bob has over 35 years experience in the arboricultural industry, with extensive experience working for both local authorities and the private sector. He is based near Cambridge and carries out survey work in the area for SJ Stephens Associates, when required.
Bob Widd; currently holds the position of Chairman and Treasurer of the Consulting Arborist Society (CAS) and represents CAS on the Board of Directors of the UK and Ireland Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture UK &I Chapter (ISA). Bob is currently Vice Principal of the UK&I Chapter and sits on the Executive Board of Directors. He is also a member of the Arboricultural Association at Technician Level.
OLIVER TONG
ND Arb,TechArborA
After studying for the National Diploma in Arboriculture at Merrist Wood, Oliver has gained extensive experience working as a Tree Officer for various London boroughs. Oliver carries out tree survey work for SJ Stephens Associates, mostly in London and the eastern counties.
VINCE CAINEY BSc.
Vince regularly carries out internal decay detection tests for SJ Stephens Associates. He uses the Picus Tomograph, a Resistograph and a Fractometer. Different tools are best suited to different types of decay and often a combination of readings from different tools are required to clearly map the interior condition of a tree.
Wiltshire
Savernake Barn, Stokke Common
Great Bedwyn, Marlborough
Wiltshire, SN8 3LL
01672 871 862
London
Coach House
Chetwynd Rd
London NW5 1BH
07831 341 887