Tir Coed is governed by a Board of Trustees, representing a range of sectors and expertise, as follows:

Simon worked for the Forestry Commission for 30 years throughout England, Scotland and Wales. For most of that time he was a Land Agent with responsibility for managing the Commission’s varied estate, including a stint as Head of Estate Management policy in the Commission’s HQ in Edinburgh. Since coming to Wales in 1994, Simon held posts as Regional Land Agent, Chief Conservator of the Forestry Authority and latterly Director and Executive Forestry Commissioner for FC Wales. He retired from the Forestry Commission in 2005 and now pursues his many other interests, including walking, gardening, DIY and assisting with the varied work of Tir Coed, in which he has a keen interest.

A retired research scientist from ADAS, with most of his career spent in hill farming, and the greater part of it at the Pwllpeiran Experimental Farm, near Cwmystwyth in mid-Wales. Policy Changes from production orientated agriculture to more environmentally sensitive systems meant that in more recent times he has focused on land use and environmental aspects of the hills and uplands and this led to early involvement with Tir Coed. He is also one of the Trustees of the Hafod Trust.

After a career in manufacturing, Keith Blacker purchased a 30-hectare acre mixed woodland in North Powys and, with his wife, established and now runs a successful forestry and timber business.

Helena is currently chair of the Woodlands for Learning Forum which supports the use of woodlands for learning, a priority in the Welsh Assembly Government’s Woodlands for Wales Strategy. She trained as a primary teacher and has worked in environmental education in the USA and Wales. She has run community development and education programmes in the South Wales Valleys. Her main interest lies in the use of the outdoors for learning. She has supported the introduction of learning outdoors in the National Assembly’s Foundation Phase (FP) as a member of the FP Project Board, training Estyn Inspectors and writing Assembly training materials for FP practitioners. She is a member of the Woodland Strategy Advisory Panel and the Forest Education Initiative Welsh Steering Group. She trained and practised as a Forest School Leader and helped develop the Welsh Open College Network qualification in Forest School.

Anna is a forestry and forest product procurement specialist with particular experience of working with the Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) certification scheme for responsibly managed forests. She runs a consultancy Ethical Change working with diverse clients including WWF, Greenpeace, The Environmental Paper Network and companies such as Marks and Spencer, SCA and BBC Worldwide. Her work has included: compiling detailed technical reports; devising procurement policies and coaching businesses through the process of improving their procurement practices; forest standards setting and multi-stakeholder consultation; technical trouble-shooting, promotion of the FSC standards and training in their application. Anna holds a BSc in Natural Resources and a MSc in Forestry and its Relation to Land Use. She was the Director of FSC UK for over 6 years. She started her career with the conservation organisation Fauna & Flora International. Anna sits on Duchy Originals’ Sustainability Advisory Board.

Liam was brought up in Belfast and graduated at Queen’s University Belfast in 1979. He was employed by health and social services departments in Scotland and England during the early eighties before settling in Scotland from 1986 onwards. During this time he managed a new team supporting young people to return to live in their own community. In 2002, he managed the first Youth Offending service in the Scottish Borders as well as completing a MSc. in Criminal Justice at Edinburgh University in 2004. Liam moved to Aberystwyth in 2005 to manage the first Ceredigion Youth Offending Team. Liam believes that “young people are young people first and offenders second” and that offending behaviour is just a phase that, if properly supported, the majority of young people can move through and go on to lead rewarding and constructive lives.

Roger has been the Chief Executive of CCW for the last 7 years. A biologist by training, he has spent his career in the water industry and environmental management. Before coming to CCW, he was Director of Environment Agency Wales. The main focus of his time at CCW has been on mitigating for, and adapting to, climate change. Roger is also the Secretary-Treasurer of the EEAC (the European network of environment and sustainable development advisory councils), a founder member of ENCA (the European network of heads of conservation agencies), a Trustee of the Ponds Conservation Trust, chair of the Coed Cymru Partnership and a Board member of Cynnal Cymru (the Welsh sustainable development promotion body).

As a teenager, David Lloyd entertained local audiences with his magic shows and amateur acting. In 1960 he won a scholarship with a London drama college and later became a professional actor. He was encouraged by friends to consider broadcasting as a career and went on to work behind the camera for the BBC, Anglia Television and Grampian Television. HTV Wales promoted him to producer/director where he worked on a wide range of programmes. David’s achievements as a television programme maker won the company praise from local and network audiences. As head of features, his series of the ‘Really Helpful Programme’ promoted the work of the voluntary sector and introduced sign language and subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. David retired in 1997 and returned to Aberystwyth to write. He reads for the ‘Talking Newspaper’, teaches voice and presentational skills and gives talks to groups around Ceredigion.

Russell’s early career was as an Officer in the Royal Air Force, he saw active service in the Near East, the Far East, and the Falkland Islands. He transferred to the retired list in 1988 after 24 years service. He moved to Mid Wales the same year where he runs an upland farm and two small woods. He is the Managing Director of Soil Science Wales Ltd, and is actively involved in upland soil bioscience research. Russell is a graduate of both the Open University and Aberystwyth University and is a Doctor of Science. He is a Justice of the Peace for Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, where he is a chairman of both the Adult and Youth Courts.

Adrian has worked in secondary schools in England and Wales since 1978. Initially as a teacher of Mathematics and PE, becoming a Head of Faculty and more lately a member of the Senior Management Team in a large comprehensive school. He took early voluntary retirement from this post in March 2010, partly to return to the classroom and to avoid the need for the school to make redundancies. He continues to work as a part time teacher of mathematics. Throughout his career, he has been committed to the provision of high quality education for all students and has been a Peer Inspector for ESTYN, but recognises that the rigid academic curriculum does not fulfil the needs of a number of students.

Tir Coed currently has 3 members of staff:

Gwyneth Davies - Project Officer

Graduated in Drama & Music at UCW Aberystwyth. Following this I toured around schools and community centres with a Theatre in Education company, I then went on to present (children's programmes mostly) and perform for S4C.

I've always lived at Pontrhydygroes, in the Ystwyth Valley, where for the past 10 years I've been helping my husband run the family farm and bringing up my three children. My hobbies include playing the piano (I am accompanist for our local choir), baking cakes (and eating them!) and running a taxi service for my kids - my most challenging job yet!!!

gwyneth@tircoed.org.uk

Becky Hulme - Project Officer

I first moved to Wales in 1997 to undertake a degree course in Environmental Management at Lampeter University. Since then I have been working in the environmental conservation sector in West Wales. I have a background in childcare and pre-school education and have a firm commitment to environmental education, believing that this is key in delivering sustainable development over the long term.

During my time in Wales I have been an active member of the local community, and have been involved with several community groups and projects. My spare time is usually spent with my two sons, although, when I get the chance, I like to work in the garden, read and go swimming.

becky@tircoed.org.uk

Angie Martin - Project Officer

Since graduating as a teacher of Movement Studies, I have worked in Secondary, Post 16, FE and Youth work sectors, as well as with a community based Theatre in Education Company and Princes' Trust Volunteers.

A keen outdoor pursuits enthusiast and creative bod - I was once described as "the original Blue Peter woman" for my ability to make something from nothing!

Since moving to Wales in 2006 I have become a mother; planted an orchard (83 trees to date); set up a breastfeeding support group in Lampeter; become a regular volunteer for Shared Earth trust; and a member of Lampeter Permaculture Group.

Having previously lived on a narrow-boat for several years I have long been aware of environmental and energy related issues, but this has recently become a greater focus in my life. I am now even more inspired, passionate, committed and involved in things local, natural and sustainable believing that this is the future and wanting to do my bit to make a difference.

angie@tircoed.org.uk