Meet the team
Tony Bradford, Manager
Whenever I tell people what it is I do for a living I am always greeted with a response along the lines of “oooo how wonderful, a job out in the fresh air”. As a Manager, I’m not outdoors as much as I used to be, but I can see my work still produces wonderful results for the environment.
I have been a Manager with the CMS since 1994, having previously managed a countryside project in the southwest of Essex. My key motivation is seeing the projects that the CMS takes forward having a positive impact for wildlife and for people, and making the best use of external funding sources to help us do this. I am particularly interested in how the advice we give brings positive changes in farming for wildlife, landscape and climate change for Hertfordshire.
Away from work I have two teenage daughters and in any remaining free time enjoy running and cycling as a way to explore Hertfordshire’s countryside.
Lee Tyson, Operations Manager
I joined CMS back in 1999 after moving to north London from my home in Worcestershire.
During my five years as a Projects Officer I worked on wide range of projects in the south of the county. I filled my days producing and implementing plans to improve greenspaces, advising landowners who wanted to improve their land management for wildlife and sourcing funding to make things happen. Changes in the way we work during this time have kept me interested and motivated.
Now I work as Operations Manager and most of my time is spent supporting our team of Projects Officers and developing new areas of work to keep CMS up to date in an ever changing work environment.
Isabel Crozier, Theme Lead
I joined the CMS as a projects officer in 1998 with a background in community development and a degree in Ecology. With the CMS I have greatly expanded my knowledge in both these areas and added to that all sorts of trivia like how to build a flight of steps. In 2004 I became Assistant Area Manager in the West and Southern Area and have become more desk-bound. I still get involved in projects and am busy coordinating a scheme to make it easier to explore the River Ver, with circular walks, website and events – so have a look at our news pages to see how the project is developing!
I became a mum in 2005 and have a whole new empathy with the difficulties of accessing the countryside with small children and endeavour to promote natural play in greenspaces.
Angela Forster, Theme Lead
I joined the CMS way back in 1993 and since then I have been involved in a wide range of different and interesting projects. These include river enhancement projects, working with Friends groups, running a Health Walks scheme, delivering a local Barn Owl Project, raising grant aid to enhance Local Nature Reserves and helping farmers to enter their land into Environmental Stewardship.
Recently I have been focusing on this ‘land management’ side of our work. By guiding and supporting landowners and communities to manage their natural environment, be it a small village pond, a 20 acre Local Nature Reserve or a 1,000 acre farm, we can benefit wildlife and local residents alike.
My job is very varied, with plenty of new challenges and the chance to work with lots of different people in some beautiful places. It’s a job that can really make a difference.
Projects Officers
Ellie Beach
I started with CMS in May 2009 after seven years working for Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust on a number of wetland nature reserves. As Projects Officer I am involved in writing and implementing Greenspace Action Plans for sites throughout Hertfordshire and working closely with the local 'Friends' groups. I advise farmers and landowners on ways to improve their land management for wildlife and how to obtain funding such as Environmental Stewardship.
Everyday is different and projects are always varied and exciting from creating a circular woodland walk to ehancing wetland habitats for wildlife; they all require project planning, securing funding, working with landowners, volunteers and local communities and managing contractors all of which I enjoy.
Heidi Hutton
I joined CMS in January 2002. Before that I worked for the BTCV in Bedford as a part-time volunteer/part-time member of staff.
The best part about working here is the variety and that on the whole no two days are the same. Because of this, there are always new opportunities for learning more about different aspects of the job. The days I look forward to the most are those where I'm outside either on task with the volunteers, or particularly when visiting places in the county I haven't seen before. Currently I work part-time, with the other part of my life being mum for a five and a two year old.
Mark Carter
Having spent most of my life in Hertfordshire, I am aware of how our communities and the countryside have changed. I joined CMS in 2001 after 22 years as a secondary school teacher. I started as a volunteer helping to organise the Footpath Friends scheme, spending lots of time fixing footpaths while re-training at Birkbeck College. Since then, I’ve been involved in lots of interesting projects: Black Poplars, Ashridge cycling, community woodlands, Bricket Wood Common and many others. Working with farmers on Stewardship schemes, with volunteers on practical tasks, and with parishes on their open spaces are the aspects of the job I enjoy most.
Alex Laurie
I have worked for CMS since 2006, previously I was with Groundwork trusts in South East London & Lincolnshire and before that BTCV. Much of my current work involves implementing Greenspace Action Plans and advising on management of a range of woodlands, commons, nature reserves and open spaces across the county.
An aspect of our work that I particularly enjoy is leading guided wildflower walks as I learnt much about identifying plants whilst studying for my Masters Degree in Biological Recording. Most of my spare time is taken up by my two daughters and DIY!
Jon Collins
I have recently joined CMS following 5 years of working as a Landscape Manager for a consultancy in the private sector. I graduated from Reading University in 2006 with a degree in BSc Landscape Management, and spent a further two years working towards becoming a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute.
My main area of interest is the shaping of our landscapes, in particular the way in which historic events and social change have influenced the character, function and value of land. I see this as an exciting yet challenging time to be working within the landscape and countryside sector; as pressures on land use continue to rise, it is up to landscape professionals and organisations such as CMS to influence development and help shape and protect the future of our landscapes.
My other major passion is music which, in contrast to my love of the outdoors, means I can often be found in dark, dingy venues and studios, craving sunlight and fresh air!
Paul Evans
Being one of three new starters I’m looking forward to getting to know the county, meeting all our volunteers and getting to grips with some of the varied list of projects to deliver good work on the ground to improve local greenspaces.
I have worked in the field of nature conservation since leaving university with a degree in Countryside Recreation Management in 2001, starting off volunteering full time with the Wildlife Trust, before gaining my first of a number of contract posts. I have worked in both the uplands and the lowlands of Britain, working for the Wildlife Trust, Environmental Records Centre and the Moors for the Future Project in the Peak District National Park. With experience mainly in practical conservation management of sites, particularly habitat restoration/recreation, also experience of surveying wildlife sites, data handling, and working with landowners.
I enjoy getting out in the countryside and enjoying the outdoors, be it going out mountain biking, running, hiking, rock climbing or an amble around looking at plants and other wildlife we happen across.
Ciaran Mullan
I recently joined CMS having just moved to the beautiful County of Hertfordshire from Northern Ireland, where I worked for the Ulster Wildlife Trust as Nature Conservation Manager and more latterly as Project Officer on an ambitious wetland enhancement scheme in west Belfast. At the outset of my career, I spent two years as Conservation Officer with Craigavon Borough Council assisting in the management of some important historic and natural heritage sites along the southern fringe of Lough Neagh. I went on to spend three years as Funding Coordinator and Area Manager for Sustrans’ Northern Ireland Office, where I built up some valuable knowledge and experience of fund-raising and cycle/pedestrian access provision, before making a determined decision to return to practical nature conservation work.
I am eager to get stuck into project delivery and begin work with local communities, volunteers and landowners to bring about positive changes in land management and hope that I can contribute useful skills and experience to help build on the fantastic successes of the team.
Fiona Underhill
I joined CMS in 2006 having been a ranger for London Borough of Bromley then left for a year travelling and wildlife spotting in North and Central America. I’ve returned to CMS with a renewed enthusiasm for Hertfordshire’s historic landscape and rights of way network - especially having spent 6 months in the States! I’m very lucky to have been welcomed back and am part of the Communities team, responsible for Tuesday practical volunteer tasks, Hertsmere and Bishop’s Stortford health walk programmes and several friends groups such as Broxbourne Wood Wardens and Friends of Pishiobury Park.
Zoe Channon
I joined CMS after a rather long and unexpected career in Financial Services! Having a degree in Ecology it was always something I was passionate about and couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life working for a bank, so I've spent the last 2 years re-training with the RSPB to get the Countryside Management skills I needed to work full time in this area, building on the project management skills I already have.
I love working with people and am passionate about conservation so I knew that CMS was the right place for me. I am looking forward to getting stuck in and getting my hands dirty with the weekly Volunteer and Friends Groups and getting to know Hertfordshire as both a place to work and a place to live.
When I'm not at work you can find me out and about bird watching, walking and generally enjoying the fresh air and countryside.
Kimberely Mangelshot
I’ve joined the CMS in 2013 as the development officer for the Hertfordshire Health Walks scheme. I bring with me 10 years experience, enthusiasm and energy from the health, fitness and wellbeing industry, running my own business. Here I have spent 1000’s of hours working with people to inspire them towards better health. My personal philosophy is that ‘life is lived in balance' and being as fit and active as you can be is a fundamental part of that balance. Spreading that message countywide, getting people moving more, will make me smile personally!
I’m a married mum to one gorgeous daughter and we have a dog. As a family you will find us out running, walking in the fields, on our bikes or at the swimming pool! I also have one brother who is a wheelchair user with Multiple Sclerosis so I am very aware of the need for access for all wherever feasible.