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Steve Donagain
CEO
Steven Donagain is our CEO. After completing forestry training at Tampere University Finland he went on to work in the forestry sector in Finland, Russia, Canada and Britain.
After completing further forestry machine operator qualifications in Finland he returned to the UK as a forwarder operator before moving to Hill Holt Wood as a ranger teaching forestry to disadvantaged children. Since then he was responsible for running all the forestry and countryside contracts for Hill Holt Wood and writing and implementing management plans for the 1000 acres of land that Hill Holt Wood manages. Steve took the reins as CEO in June 2016.CEO
Steven Donagain is our CEO. After completing forestry training at Tampere University Finland he went on to work in the forestry sector in Finland, Russia, Canada and Britain.
After completing further forestry machine operator qualifications in Finland he returned to the UK as a forwarder operator before moving to Hill Holt Wood as a ranger teaching forestry to disadvantaged children. Since then he was responsible for running all the forestry and countryside contracts for Hill Holt Wood and writing and implementing management plans for the 1000 acres of land that Hill Holt Wood manages. Steve took the reins as CEO in June 2016.
Steven Donagain is our CEO. After completing forestry training at Tampere University Finland he went on to work in the forestry sector in Finland, Russia, Canada and Britain.
After completing further forestry machine operator qualifications in Finland he returned to the UK as a forwarder operator before moving to Hill Holt Wood as a ranger teaching forestry to disadvantaged children. Since then he was responsible for running all the forestry and countryside contracts for Hill Holt Wood and writing and implementing management plans for the 1000 acres of land that Hill Holt Wood manages. Steve took the reins as CEO in June 2016.CEO
Steven Donagain is our CEO. After completing forestry training at Tampere University Finland he went on to work in the forestry sector in Finland, Russia, Canada and Britain.
After completing further forestry machine operator qualifications in Finland he returned to the UK as a forwarder operator before moving to Hill Holt Wood as a ranger teaching forestry to disadvantaged children. Since then he was responsible for running all the forestry and countryside contracts for Hill Holt Wood and writing and implementing management plans for the 1000 acres of land that Hill Holt Wood manages. Steve took the reins as CEO in June 2016.
Oliver Woodman
Head of Operations
Oliver is the Head of Operations at Hill Holt Wood. He is responsible for all aspects of the on-site operation, including site maintenance, compliance and legislation and event management. He also coordinates our natural burials at Big Wood. After completing a degree in Environmental Studies at Newcastle University, he spent the first twenty years of his career managing various restaurants around Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
Oliver came to Hill Holt Wood as a volunteer looking for a change in career. Since then he has been employed as a ranger teaching disadvantaged children, before being promoted to Site Manager, utilising his experience in the catering industry to manage events at Hill Holt Wood. Bird enthusiasts should check out his twitter account for his stunning photos @woodmanoliver1
Oliver is the Head of Operations at Hill Holt Wood. He is responsible for all aspects of the on-site operation, including site maintenance, compliance and legislation and event management. He also coordinates our natural burials at Big Wood. After completing a degree in Environmental Studies at Newcastle University, he spent the first twenty years of his career managing various restaurants around Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
Oliver came to Hill Holt Wood as a volunteer looking for a change in career. Since then he has been employed as a ranger teaching disadvantaged children, before being promoted to Site Manager, utilising his experience in the catering industry to manage events at Hill Holt Wood. Bird enthusiasts should check out his twitter account for his stunning photos @woodmanoliver1
Ryan Rousseau
Head of Finance
Our very own Wolf of Wall Street, Ryan Rousseau, came to us in March 2019. Head of Finance, active member of AAT, CIPP, CIOD and overall office quiz master at just 24 years of age, the wolf is destined for greatness. His professional success stems from an early age winning a Crest award in aerodynamics, achieving an honors degree in Business and Finance at the University of Lincoln and gaining successive promotions in retail management before taking the leap to Hill Holt Wood senior management. In his spare time, the wolf hunts two things: coffee and books, both of which will come in handy in his natural woodland habitat.
Our very own Wolf of Wall Street, Ryan Rousseau, came to us in March 2019. Head of Finance, active member of AAT, CIPP, CIOD and overall office quiz master at just 24 years of age, the wolf is destined for greatness. His professional success stems from an early age winning a Crest award in aerodynamics, achieving an honors degree in Business and Finance at the University of Lincoln and gaining successive promotions in retail management before taking the leap to Hill Holt Wood senior management. In his spare time, the wolf hunts two things: coffee and books, both of which will come in handy in his natural woodland habitat.
Jodie Hill
Head of Education
Gavin Warhurst
Head of External Contracts
A little bit of knowledge about a lot of things, Senior Ranger Gav started out as our administrator, then took over teaching Maths and English for several years before moving on to our exciting Growing Up Green Project where he’s helping 4000 youngsters to reconnect with nature and the green environment. Strong as an ox and a vision of heavenly good looks. He’s without a doubt the nicest guy and the best at everything.
A little bit of knowledge about a lot of things, Senior Ranger Gav started out as our administrator, then took over teaching Maths and English for several years before moving on to our exciting Growing Up Green Project where he’s helping 4000 youngsters to reconnect with nature and the green environment. Strong as an ox and a vision of heavenly good looks. He’s without a doubt the nicest guy and the best at everything.
Nigel Webster
Forestry and Land Management Coordinator
Forestry strongman and extraction expert Nigel can bend six inch nails with his bare (bear?) hands and fell even the mightiest of trees. His reputation on the forwarder is second to none, stacking timber into delicate piles then heading off into the wood before most have even got started. Rumours that he’s a hobgoblin are yet to be confirmed. He’s a big fan of AC/DC and he’s one of our hard working Senior Ranger team.
Forestry strongman and extraction expert Nigel can bend six inch nails with his bare (bear?) hands and fell even the mightiest of trees. His reputation on the forwarder is second to none, stacking timber into delicate piles then heading off into the wood before most have even got started. Rumours that he’s a hobgoblin are yet to be confirmed. He’s a big fan of AC/DC and he’s one of our hard working Senior Ranger team.
Vicky Robinson
Careers and Exams Coordinator
Long-timer but fresh faced our Tor is dependable and efficient. Under that affable personality is a wealth of experience we couldn't do without. Lincoln City Fan.
Long-timer but fresh faced our Tor is dependable and efficient. Under that affable personality is a wealth of experience we couldn't do without. Lincoln City Fan.
Ed Hampton
Hill Holt Health Coordinator
Joining the team after working as a ranger north of the border Ed is took the reins at Big Wood. He has been smoothly running and growing the Health Project at our sister site. He’s PC, but that's just how he rolls. Ed was quickly promoted to the Senior Ranger team on account of his great work with the health project where he has helped dozens of people heal, gain confidence and learn new skills.
Joining the team after working as a ranger north of the border Ed is took the reins at Big Wood. He has been smoothly running and growing the Health Project at our sister site. He’s PC, but that's just how he rolls. Ed was quickly promoted to the Senior Ranger team on account of his great work with the health project where he has helped dozens of people heal, gain confidence and learn new skills.
Claire Barr
Animal Care Education Ranger
Wood legend and tough cookie Claire is practical and versatile. She was so good at learning support we asked her to be a fully fledged ranger to teach our brand new animal care course where her sense of humour is much appreciated. Now a valuable Senior Ranger, we can confirm Claire once saved a snail. A big one. Called Gary.
Wood legend and tough cookie Claire is practical and versatile. She was so good at learning support we asked her to be a fully fledged ranger to teach our brand new animal care course where her sense of humour is much appreciated. Now a valuable Senior Ranger, we can confirm Claire once saved a snail. A big one. Called Gary.
James Boothman AKA Mario
Countryside Ranger
Renowned hard worker and holder of the highest standards, if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing right as they say, and he's the man we call.
Renowned hard worker and holder of the highest standards, if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing right as they say, and he's the man we call.
John Feneley
Countryside Ranger
Back for a third time to work on Countryside NK, a role which he originally fulfilled several years ago and has had several incarnations until returning back to the current form. John knows all there is to know about what we do (especially the Lollycocks Field site) and will be key to our Countryside NK partnership with North Kesteven District Council. John once wrote a poem about rain.
Back for a third time to work on Countryside NK, a role which he originally fulfilled several years ago and has had several incarnations until returning back to the current form. John knows all there is to know about what we do (especially the Lollycocks Field site) and will be key to our Countryside NK partnership with North Kesteven District Council. John once wrote a poem about rain.
Will Russell
Ranger
Patrick O'Carroll
Construction Ranger
Pat's deft and precise eco-building skills are matched perfectly with his ability to engage our learners. He came to us with a deep background of working on sustainable buildings.
Pat's deft and precise eco-building skills are matched perfectly with his ability to engage our learners. He came to us with a deep background of working on sustainable buildings.
Alan Eley
Woodcraft Education Ranger
When most people think of Hill Holt Wood it’s Alan they picture. He’s the wood personified and it’s commonly believed that if he leaves the company the wood itself will revolt. One of the most popular Rangers amongst staff and learners; he’s been with us since the very early days and is our longest serving Ranger. His self-taught craftsmanship is now receiving international recognition and he’s passing on his traditional woodcraft skills to our young learners. This man has been whittling spoons since before it was cool.
When most people think of Hill Holt Wood it’s Alan they picture. He’s the wood personified and it’s commonly believed that if he leaves the company the wood itself will revolt. One of the most popular Rangers amongst staff and learners; he’s been with us since the very early days and is our longest serving Ranger. His self-taught craftsmanship is now receiving international recognition and he’s passing on his traditional woodcraft skills to our young learners. This man has been whittling spoons since before it was cool.
Paul Desmond
Functional Skills Tutor
A fine purveyor of the very finest Functional Skills, he's responsible for ensuring our learners can unravel the mystery of Maths and ingrain the idiosyncracies of English. The two most important educational aspects of all, and we'd rather have no-one else.
A fine purveyor of the very finest Functional Skills, he's responsible for ensuring our learners can unravel the mystery of Maths and ingrain the idiosyncracies of English. The two most important educational aspects of all, and we'd rather have no-one else.
Lauren Jarvill
Enrichment Ranger
Lauren is a nature lover with experience of working with SEND, which are pretty much the perfect prerequisites to becoming a Ranger. In addition, she's a dog walking pagan who enjoys birdwatching. As well as her (cheeky) dog Henry, she has two Giant African Land Snails (Mac and Cheese) and is, therefore, an expert at encouraging learners to come out of their shells and pasta exams.
Lauren is also a qualified teacher specialising in RE with an MA in Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Currently studying a Doctorate in Education (EdD) exploring the value of Tolerance in education.
Lauren is a nature lover with experience of working with SEND, which are pretty much the perfect prerequisites to becoming a Ranger. In addition, she's a dog walking pagan who enjoys birdwatching. As well as her (cheeky) dog Henry, she has two Giant African Land Snails (Mac and Cheese) and is, therefore, an expert at encouraging learners to come out of their shells and pasta exams.
Lauren is also a qualified teacher specialising in RE with an MA in Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Currently studying a Doctorate in Education (EdD) exploring the value of Tolerance in education.
Rebecca Jordan
Learning Support Ranger
Gemma Birkett
Learning Support Ranger
The face of the front desk. Our Spice Girl claims that there’s no chilli she can’t eat and lives for her family. At the wood she’s the first face most people will meet (apart from the Green Man) so there’s lots of pressure on her to be both smiley and nice, fortunately for us these are two attributes she is not lacking in.
The face of the front desk. Our Spice Girl claims that there’s no chilli she can’t eat and lives for her family. At the wood she’s the first face most people will meet (apart from the Green Man) so there’s lots of pressure on her to be both smiley and nice, fortunately for us these are two attributes she is not lacking in.
Shani Bell
Learning Support Ranger
Carly Gaffney
Learning Support Ranger
Karen Sudder
Catering Ranger
A helping hand making our tasty treats. Karen joined the team in June 2018 and works with Maz on events and the Hive Café in the kitchen. She has an impressive knowledge of the natural world and loves nature.
A helping hand making our tasty treats. Karen joined the team in June 2018 and works with Maz on events and the Hive Café in the kitchen. She has an impressive knowledge of the natural world and loves nature.
Vicky Bicknell
Cleaner/Kitchen Assistant
Andy Harrison
Maintenance Ranger
He’s been there and done it all. Now Andy is our reliable driver who picks up learners on his merry way to the wood. Without him there would be stranded teenagers across the Lincoln area and the wood’s various annoying jobs would never get done! He’ll fix mowers, strimmers, gates, fences, roads, roofs, wheels, printers, laptops… well…. you get the picture!
He’s been there and done it all. Now Andy is our reliable driver who picks up learners on his merry way to the wood. Without him there would be stranded teenagers across the Lincoln area and the wood’s various annoying jobs would never get done! He’ll fix mowers, strimmers, gates, fences, roads, roofs, wheels, printers, laptops… well…. you get the picture!
Deborah Bishop
Accounts
When all those about you are losing their heads, Deborah will be calmly keeping the books on account of her unflappable and reassuring nature. She’s the steady hand on the financial rudder since moving from our Gainsborough site and loves a cuppa and a biscuit. Well, who doesn't?
When all those about you are losing their heads, Deborah will be calmly keeping the books on account of her unflappable and reassuring nature. She’s the steady hand on the financial rudder since moving from our Gainsborough site and loves a cuppa and a biscuit. Well, who doesn't?
Callum Holmes
Forestry Ranger
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