Quantock Hills. An Area of Outstanding Beauty

About Us

Who's Who?

• 

  AONB Manager - Chris Edwards

  The role of Manager encompasses a wide range of activities that include: Day to day management of the team, developing AONB policy, commenting on behalf of JAC on statutory consultations and ensuring good working practices with all partnerships.
• 

  Development Officer - Iain Porter

  The role of a Development Officer is varied and includes, the planning and development of the AONB Service projects that will implement the action points from the Management Plan. This will include sourcing funding for many of the projects. Other responsibilities include ICT support and the management of the Quantock Hills Sustainable Development Fund.
• 

  Landscape Planning Officer - Emma-Jane Preece

  With AONBs being a landscape designation it is important to have a role who can influence policy on planning in and around the AONB. This post develops guidance on planning and links with the local planning authorities to ensure that any development is sensitive to the needs of the AONB landscape.
• 

  Communications Officer - Georgie Grant

  This Officer role deals with all aspects of communications. This includes producing newsletters, annual reports, managing public relations and media enquiries and managing our website which is the first point of contact for many visitors.
• 

  Support Assistant - Katy Coate

  The Support Assistant role includes administration, the day to day running of the Quantock Office and supporting the other officers and rangers in their roles.
• 

  Senior Ranger - Tim Russell

  Tim’s key role is Habitats and Biodiversity which involves working with farmers and commoners to ensure the continued protection of the conservation areas. Tim is also involved with a number heritage and community projects from the Management Plan.
• 

  Partnership Ranger - Owen Jones

  The Partnership Ranger works jointly for the Forestry Commission and the AONB Service. Owen’s role includes public access and he works closely with Somerset County Council Right of Way section, landowners and farmers to improve the Rights of Way and Open Access within the AONB. Owen is also the first point of contact for anyone wanting to organise an event on the Quantocks.
• 

  Conservation Volunteers - Volunteers

  The Volunteer support all aspects of the AONB Services work, including practical tasks, visitor management and monitoring. Tasks can include scrub bashing, wildlife surveys, litter clearance and giving talks. They are a vital element in the AONB Service and provide an important link with local communities.
• 

  Volunteer Co-ordinator - Nichola Penn

  Nichola is joining us on a one year contract as part-time Volunteer Co-ordinator (we share her with Mendip AONB)to increase the volunteering opportunities within the AONB. She will be looking for new ways forward for the volunteers on the hills and enhancing the linkages with the existing volunteer groups (Quantock Conservation Volunteers and the Volunteer Rangers).