Chris Marrable
Forest Superintendent (Acting) and Conservation Officer
Chris Marrable has worked on the Forest for over 25 years. His current workload is primarily concerned with conservation planning, mapping and monitoring as well as liaison with statutory and voluntary conservation organisations. He has a general interest in natural history but especially heathland plants. Chris is currently training for his dormouse licence and has recently completed an MSc in Environmental Management. Chris owns a georgeous sheep dog called Chip who also competes at agility and obedience trials.
Ros Marriott
Clerk to the Board and Office Manager
Ros Marriott has been at the Forest Centre since October 1994. She is responsible for the Board and Committee governance processes and is in charge of the office administration, personnel matters, the accounts and bye-law infringements. She monitors planning applications that might impact on the Forest and she is the fount of all knowledge when it comes to issuing and advising on perpetual licences.
Tracy Buxton
Office Administrator
Tracy Buxton has been the Office Administrator since early 2007. She assists Ros with the day-to-day running of the office and is responsible for, amongst other things, issuing riding permits, the Information Barn and its volunteers, Forest events, this website, our internet presence and anything else that might need doing! These days she is the one you will get on the telephone. Tracy owns Dodger a middle aged tri-JRT and Dottie a rescued ex-racing Greyhound.
Rich Allum
South Chase Ranger
Rich Allum joined the Forest in 2005. He obtained a degree in Ecology & Conservation from the University of Sussex before becoming a ranger for East Sussex County Council and Bracknell Forest Borough Council. Before joining us, Rich spent five years as Heathland Project Officer in the High Weald AONB. Rich owns Scallywag a very handsome and personable cross-breed.
Michael Payne
West Chase Ranger
Mike Payne studied at Brinsbury College for three years and had qualifications on Countryside Management at both Nationl and 1st Diploma levels. Mike has been on the Forest since 2003 and was recently promoted to a Ranger position. Mike is super with a chainsaw and a tractor and has many other skills learned as a Countryside Worker. Mike would like to have a dog as soon as possible.
Chris Sutton
East Chase Ranger
Chris Sutton is our our Health and Safety advisor and organises such things as maintenance of our vehicles, PAT testing, and fire and intruder alarm servicing. He also liaises with the East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service in regards to Forest fires. Chris also has a Diploma in Countryside recreation. Chris owns Barney a delightful and gentle cross breed.
Mike Yates
North Chase Ranger
Mike Yates comes from a background of commercial forestry. He brings a professional approach to safe working in forestry operations and also to contract management. Mike started work as the North Chase Ranger in 2003, having served as a Volunteer Ranger for several years. Mike owns Harry a bouncy black Labrador.
Colin Lutman
Countryside Worker
Colin Lutman has been the Forest tractor driver for over 18 years and his knowledge of the area is second to none - there isn't a slit-trench or drainage ditch that Colin hasn't got stuck in! He is now very experienced in all aspects of the Forest's machinery which includes high horse-power four-wheel drive tractors, forwarders, winches and forestry grinders. Like most tractor drivers, Colin is keen to maintain and repair his machines himself.
Edward Burgin
Countryside Worker
Ed Burgin is employed as an estate worker. Ed spent two years studying Countryside Management at Hadlow College where he was taught to manage the land sympathetically. He also learnt hedge laying, tree felling (by hand and with a chainsaw) and species identification. After completing two years at Hadlow College he was able to get a job working for a specialist countryside contractor up in Yorkshire where he stayed for six months before returning south.
Gerry Lee
Countryside Worker
Gerry Lee has recently joined the team as an estate worker.
Caroline FitzGerald
Grazing Officer
Caroline joined the team as the grazing officer in mid 2010. She was previously Heathland Project Officer for the High Weald AONB Unit at Flimwell. Caroline is currently assisted by a team of voluntary lookerers and her new part time assistant will be joining us in July.
Joe Wallis
Grazing Assistant
Joe joined the team in early July. He is with us on a part time basis working with the shepherd on the grazing project. Joe spends the rest of his time working on a commercial sheep farm.
John Ridley
Caretaker
John worked for many years at nearby Wych Cross Place. He joined the Forest team in 2010.