MEET
THE TEAM
The company has a reputation within the forestry industry for professionalism and high-quality work, delivering work programmes on time and to budget whilst enabling owners to realise a diverse range of woodland management objectives.
James
Townshend
James was appointed as Executive director of Bronwin & Abbey following the merger with Velcourt Group in July 2022. James became Velcourt Group Chief Executive in 1991 and Chairman in 2013 having first joined the company back in 1978. His responsibilities include corporate governance, strategic leadership and support , product marketing and shareholder relations.
NICK
SHORTER
Nick joined the Bronwin & Abbey board in October 2024 as part of his new role as the group chief executive. Nick joined Velcourt in 2001 and after graduating from the trainee programme went on to manage farms in Eastern Europe and East Anglia. He joined the senior management team in 2009 relocating to Hampshire and was appointed to the Velcourt board as Director in 2014 and Managing Director in 2021.
Jason
Scott
Jason joined the Bronwin & Abbey board in October 2024, following his predecessor David Teague. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant, Jason joined Velcourt in 1996 and was appointed to the senior management team as Financial Controller in 2011. He joined the board of Velcourt Group Limited in September 2024.
Robert
South
Robert became Managing Director in July 2024 following his role as Harvesting and Operations Director. He is Chair of the Confor Wales Committee and represents the Institute of Chartered Foresters on the Woodland Carbon Code Advisory Board.
ANDREW
BRONWIN
Andrew has 40 years of forestry experience. He was previously chair of the Wales Forest Business Partnership, ICF Wales and Confor Wales. He is a RICS Registered Valuer specialising in forestry valuations.
Andrew
Sowerby
Andrew joined the business in 2025 as Operations Director after 20 years in the sector. He is the current President of the ICF and sits on the board of PEFC UK.
Lucy
Tarasova
Lucy runs the finance team and is currently also studying for her professional accountancy qualification.
Hugh Davies
Woodley
Hugh is a chartered forester and the senior manager for the West and South West of England. He has worked both in the private and public forest sectors. He undertakes tree safety inspections. Hugh is Chair of the Confor Marches Committee.
OLiVER
Thompson
Oliver is a chartered forester covering North Wales and the Midlands. He has experience in management and investment and asset acquisition. Oliver also undertakes tree safety inspections.
ALex
Donaldson
Alex studied BSc Forestry at Bangor University. After graduating, he spent four years working across South-West Scotland and North-East England as a Forest Manager in the commercial forestry sector. In this role, he managed new woodland creation projects, investment plantations, and traditional estates.
He then relocated to South-West England, joining the Forestry Commission as a Woodland Creation Officer for one year. Following this, he moved into the Natural Capital sector, where he spent over two years developing new woodland creation schemes aimed at generating carbon credits, as well as delivering co-benefits such as enhanced biodiversity, improved water quality, and reduced flood risk.
A Chartered Forester, Alex joined Bronwin & Abbey in October 2025 to return to more practical forestry. He is committed to ensuring that carbon, biodiversity, and water benefits are maximised for nature, while also delivering strong economic returns for landowners.
Anna
Georgiou
Anna specialises in GIS mapping and woodland grant applications. She is also a trained ecologist with an extensive knowledge of flora and European Protected Species.
SHONA
SMYTH
Shona is a chartered forester specialising in timber harvesting, haulage and marketing across all areas.
ELLA
HARRIS
Ella is a chartered surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer managing properties in mid Wales. She specialises in forest valuations, estate woodland management, woodland creation, woodland carbon and grant applications.
JON
BELL
Rachel
Thomas
Rachel leads on 9001, 14001 and 45001 ISO compliance, the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme for forest certification, Health and Safety reporting and internal company processes.
