Tom Brown CEO Expand Tom joined Green Light Trust at the beginning of 2013 to manage the Heritage Lottery Funded "Restoring the Repertoire" project. Having previously run his own arboriculture contracting company; he went on to eventually run the Arboriculture and Forestry department at Otley College. Tom also has experience of writing woodland management plans, and has written occupational standards for a number of awarding bodies. A member of the National Forestry Skills Forum, he has recently contributed to the development of the new Forestry Trailblazer apprenticeship. After almost six years at the Trust, and with the full approval and enthusiasm of our Founders, Tom took over as CEO.
Mandy Horne Head of Partnerships Expand Mandy joined Green Light Trust in May 2019 from a similar role with The Missing Kind, a charity currently based in Norfolk, having previously set up her own community interest company. Mandy brings with her experience from many years in the corporate sector, leaving a senior operational role with Hiscox insurance in 2015. Mandy’s particular areas of interest include youth opportunity and emotional wellbeing support.
Alison Bone Finance Manager Expand Responsible for maintaining and developing the finance function of the Trust, Alison joined us late in 2018. Returning to Suffolk after several years away from the region, she has previously worked in the North East of the UK for a Health & Wellbeing charity. An AAT Qualified Bookkeeper, Alison has wide ranging and practical experience gained whilst working in different UK locations for charities, accountancy firms, as well as from running a small business with her husband. With a keen interest in the countryside and mental wellbeing, she is enjoying rediscovering West Suffolk and finding inspiration for her photography hobby.
Rebecca Edgar Office & Administration Manager (Company Secretary) Expand Having previously run her own Complementary therapy business, Bec is passionate about the power of nature to positively impact mental health. She has been involved with Green Light Trust in various roles since joining the steering group for our very first Community-owned Wild Space project – 'Forest for Our Children' – in 1999. After completing her PTTLS course (preparing to teach in the adult learning sector) in January 2009 and her Level 3 Forest School Practitioner award in August 2014, Bec delivered a variety of GLT courses for several years working with all of our communities of interest. Bec became Office & Administration Manager and Company Secretary for the Trust in October 2018.
Andrew Brooks Delivery Manager - West Suffolk Expand Andrew joined our organisation after several years of training in Countryside Management, and brings a wide range of environmental skills and knowledge. From a part time role with the Trust, he stepped into his full-time remit in the Autumn of 2013. Andrew is responsible for the operational management of all programmes delivered in the West of Suffolk.
Jack Pynn Delivery Manager - Central & East Suffolk Expand Jack manages all of the activity at our central Castan woodland, and in the East of Suffolk. Prior to working for Green Light Trust, Jack worked as an Arborist, advising on and carrying out tree management operations for a wide range of clients. His career experience also includes time as an FE Lecturer in Forestry and Arboriculture at Easton and Otley College. Whilst there, Jack taught both practical skills and arboriculture theory. Jack is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience of trees with others.
Mell Harrison Delivery Manager - Forest School & Education Expand Mell joined the Green Light Trust in 2016 and has been facilitating Nature Connection work for over 25 years. She has worked with all ages and abilities, facilitating with the ethos of Forest School and the theories of Earth Education, Nature Connection and Environmental Education. After many years of environmental campaigning, Mell started to work within this field believing that if people felt re-connected to the natural world, they would more readily take an active role in fostering the sustainability of the planet. In 2014, she was shortlisted for Learning Outside the Classrooms national award for ‘Most inspiring Educator’. Mell was a co-creator/director of a small school, ‘Wild Meadows’, for home educated children. Together the parents and children built a straw bale building as a classroom, then developed the space and facilitated activities for families to learn together in a nature based child-led and child-centred way. In 2019 Mell was given Endorsed Trainer Award status by the National Forest School Association.
Peter Foster Delivery Manager Expand A former organic farmer for some 20 years, Peter joined Green Light Trust in August 2014 facilitating a wide variety of our courses. Having graduated from Harper Adams Agricultural College in 1992, he delivered an on-farm training programme for children and young adults at risk of exclusion. This saw him win a Somerset Learning & Skills Council award. In late 2012, Peter moved to Suffolk, where he has focused his career on woodcraft and nature conservation.
Simon Baker Environmental Education Delivery Team Expand Simon first came to the Green Light Trust as a participant before moving on to becoming a volunteer. He joined us in employment (on his birthday!) in March 2020. Simon has always enjoyed being with nature and has an afinity with connecting with the energy in stones. Being an avid pluviophile Simon can find peace and meditation in the rain, and is always happy to be out on a rainy day. Having previously worked in an office environment for much of his career, one of Simon's favourite sayings is: "Better a rainy day on a hill than a sunny one in an office".
Michaela Woollatt Participant Experience Coordinator Expand Michaela has spent her career working in the environmental sector - formally as Chief of Operations for Europe’s biggest IT recycling company. More recently she had the role of Education Editor for a grassroots environmental newspaper. Michaela is a keen advocate of raising awareness of the benefits of the natural environment on mental health. Having worked with several of Green Light Trust’s client groups, including young adults with special needs, primary school intervention groups, PRU teenagers and adults recovering from mental health issues, Michaela is now engaged by GLT as a participant keyworker.
Lorna Collins Participant Experience Coordinator Expand Lorna joined the Green Light Trust in March 2015 as an Environmental Education Team Leader and currently runs Woodland programmes at RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve. Prior to this post, Lorna worked with Suffolk Wildlife Trust for 13 years, running two education centres in West and East Suffolk. Having established solid working partnerships with key agencies like YMCA Training and MIND, Lorna ran tailored environmental programmes to encourage self-development and practical skills in young people.
Bryony Ryba Environmental Education Delivery Team Expand Bryony started as a volunteer with us in 2016, and received the Suffolk Adult Learners Health and Wellbeing Impact Award for her contribution to our work. With a background in working with Special educational needs, mental health and addiction, Bryony's special interests include mindfulness and nature connection to facilitate emotional and mental wellbeing for our project participants; she also completed her level 3 Forest School Practitioner qualification with Green Light Trust in Aug 2019. Bryony joined our delivery team in Sep 2018.
Pia Bennett Emotional Wellbeing in Schools Practitioner Expand A member of the team since 2016, Pia has spent a considerable part of her career in environmental education, working with disaffected young teenagers as well as those with special educational needs and/or mental illness. Her work with the Green Light Trust', continues to play a massive part in the wellbeing and recovery of many individuals attending the programmes. Pia is currently involved with the 'Vision & Voice' partnership, where her main role is School Wellbeing Practitioner at The Alde Valley Academy. Much of her spare time is spent with family, enjoying the countryside, whilst she also contributes time to charities both locally and overseas.
Danny Thorrington Environmental Education Delivery Team Expand Danny is part of Jack’s team working from Castan Wood in Martlesham. Danny has a broad experience working with disadvantaged young people on Greencare projects and is Forest School trained. Danny will be working with schools on developing the Natural Alternative programme and will also work as part of the team across general woodland courses at Castan.
Nik Vyse Environmental Education Delivery Team Expand Nik is part of the Environmental Education team for the west of the county and works across all GLT programmes at and around the Foundry. Nik’s background is working with hard to engage young people in Alternative Provision. He has also worked for Autism Anglia.
Emma Howe Environmental Education Delivery Team Expand Emma Howe is a qualified Forest School practitioner and works largely with school groups for GLT; as well as assisting on other environmental education courses. Her background is in Bushcraft and Forest School.
Christina Ballinger Finance Assistant Expand Christina joined GLT as Finance Assistant in April 2019 working on our BBO/ESF funded projects.
Lindsay Limmer Administrator Expand Lindsay joined Green Light Trust in 2009 as Forest School Administrator, after taking a career break to raise her two children. During that period, she was involved with the Lawshall Primary School in various roles, including PTA Treasurer, fundraising for events, helping with the gardening club, and assisting at Forest School sessions in Frithy Wood.. Lindsay is responsible for all the admin for Forest School and other educational courses; administration and promotion.
Sheena Gibbens Environmental Education Delivery Team Expand Sheena has a background in teaching with over 30 years’ experience working locally as a Nursery and Primary School teacher. Recently stepping away from the classroom to train as a Level 3 Forest School Leader with the Green Light Trust, Sheena used this time to gain experience with us as a volunteer. Having joined our staff in April 2019, Sheena is excited to be following her passion for nature and to explore its positive impact on learning and well being.
Briony Sones Environmental Education Delivery Team Expand Briony joined the Greenlight Trust in May 2017 after moving to Suffolk from Hertfordshire. Previously she worked with Hertfordshire County Council as a Secondary English teacher, then for 12 years in Youth Support roles working with vulnerable teenagers and young adults who were disengaged or NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training). During this time Briony gained an NVQ4 in Support for Young People and a Level 6 qualification in Careers Guidance. A lifetime lover of the countryside, wildlife and conservation, Briony has had many volunteering roles with BBO Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Chiltern Trust and the BTO. In 2015/16 she studied part-time to achieve a L3 Diploma in Countryside Management, which enabled her to change direction in career and join the GLT Team.