WHO WE ARE

Principal Arboricultural Consultant

Simon Stephens

MA Oxon, Dip Arb (RFS), MArborA, MICFor, C Env.

In addition to an Oxford forestry degree, Simon is a Chartered Arboriculturist and a Chartered Environmentalist. He holds a Technicians Certificate in Arboriculture and the Professional Diploma in Arboriculture, the UK’s foremost professional arboricultural qualification. He has been an Associate and Professional 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 Stephens 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.

Simon undertakes the full range of arboricultural consultancy, including an increasing volume of Expert Witness and Public Inquiry work.

Arboricultural and Landscape Consultant

Catherine Fforde

HND Hort Dip Arb L4(ABC) MCIHort MArborA

Catherine holds the level 4 Diploma in Arboriculture and an HND in Horticulture. She has worked for SJ Stephens Associates since 2011. Before branching out into arboriculture, she trained in garden design and ran her own garden design business. She carries out tree survey work, prepares arboricultural reports, carries out arboricultural site supervision and prepares soft landscape schemes for development.

Arboricultural Consultant

Mark Sharples

BSc, Tech ArborA, Dip Arb (RFS).

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 a 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 caries out climbing inspections for the company.

Arboricultural Consultant

Oliver Tong

ND Arb, TechArborA, MArborA

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.

Arboricultural Consultant

Bob Widd

Forestry BSc

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.

Internal Decay Specialist

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.