Staff Profiles

David Archer – Principal Consultant

David Archer has been involved in arboriculture, both in contracting and consultancy, since 1975. He has been involved at the highest levels of the lead body for the profession, the Arboricultural Association, and has been responsible for writing major policy documents for a large local authority. He has been a guest lecturer in many of the leading arboricultural colleges and has contributed to Government research papers.

Between 1975 and 2004, David owned and managed a successful arboricultural contracting company and during this time gained extensive experience in modern arboriculture. In 1985 he was assessed and accepted as an Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor and carried out work for many prestigious clients, including the Home Office, the Department of Defence and several corporate headquarters of large international companies. From 2002 to 2005 he was a senior Arboricultural Officer for Brighton & Hove City Council, where he advised the Council on matters relating to arboriculture, forestry, landscape and ecology.

David is experienced in the inspection and assessment of trees and in the appraisal and mitigation of the impacts of proposed developments on trees. During the course of his work, he has frequently given evidence on arboricultural matters in Public Inquiries and Informal Planning Hearings. David is also a professional member of the Arboricultural Association (M.Arbor.A.) and since 1984 has served on a number of committees of that body. He was Chairman of the Professional Committee from 1986 to 1996 and served on its Executive Council over the same period.

david@daa-arboriculture.co.uk

Tel: 01273 597796 | 07512 346919

Mark Mackworth-Praed – Senior Consultant

Beginning in 1978, Mark’s career in arboriculture spans 37 years of experience as a contractor, local authority tree officer and arboricultural consultant. In 2009, he was accepted as a Registered Consultant of the Arboricultural Association, the premier accreditation for practitioners within the arboricultural profession.

From 1985 to 2001, he was arboricultural and landscape officer for two large local authorities, and gained experience both in managing large highway tree populations, parks and council-owned trees and woodlands, and in the operation of tree controls and tree-related issues at all levels within the planning system, from householder applications to major transport infrastructure projects. These included the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (HS1), where he successfully secured significant changes to the proposed route to reduce its landscape impacts.

During this period, he was also Chairman of the Arboricultural Association’s Education Committee and served on its Executive Council, as well as being an examiner and assessor for the Technician’s Certificate in Arboriculture from 1993 to 1999. He has contributed to many government consultations on the operation of the TPO system, and to the development of British Standards relating to tree care on development sites.     

Since moving into private practice in 2001, Mark has been involved in a wide spectrum of projects, acting on behalf of clients ranging from private individuals to major national housebuilders and minerals companies on development and planning-related matters, frequently relating to issues affecting ancient woodland, as well as tree hazard and risk assessments, tree accident investigations, tree and woodland management plans, ancient and veteran tree management, and many others.

Mark has extensive experience of preparing and giving expert evidence in Public Inquiries and in Court, including the Magistrates’ and High Courts, and has previously given evidence before Select Committees of both Houses of Parliament on arboricultural and landscape matters. He holds the Cardiff University & Bond Solon Civil Expert Witness Certificate, and is a member of the Expert Witness Institute.

  • Arboricultural Association Registered Consultant
  • Fellow of the Arboricultural Association
  • Member of the Expert Witness Institute
  • Associate Member of the Institute of Leadership and Management
  • Cardiff University & Bond Solon Civil Expert Witness Certificate
  • M.Sc. in Landscape Ecology, Design and Maintenance
  • LANTRA Certificate in Professional Tree Inspection
  • BA (Cantab.) Modern and Medieval Languages

mark@daa-arboriculture.co.uk

Tel: 07761826237

Abi St Aubyn – Senior Consultant

Abi is a Chartered Arboriculturist with more than 10 years of tree-related experience. Highly commercial, with an in-depth understanding of the complexities of development work both large and small, she brings this expertise to contribute to a project team, delivering up to date, robust arboricultural advice. She is skilled at producing clear and comprehensive supporting reports and plans for clients within specified timescales.

Abi brings Local Authority experience as a Tree Officer, as well as experience in private practice. Projects range from single unit planning applications, London basement planning applications, to small and larger phased residential and commercial developments. Other recent work includes Tree Preservation Order and Conservation Area issues, tree risk assessment, tree management plans and strategies, landscape schemes, veteran tree management and subsidence matters.

In 2008 she was awarded the coveted Lockhart Garrett Trophy for obtaining the highest marks in the UK for the premier tree qualification, the Professional Diploma in Arboriculture. Additionally she has a Masters in Architectural Engineering.

  • Holder of the Professional Diploma in Arboriculture (RFS) and awarded the Lockhart Garratt, RFS Trophy for outstanding student of the year.
  • HND Landscape Design and Management.
  • 1992 M.Eng.(Hons) Architectural Engineering,
  • MICFor – Chartered Arboriculturist

abi@daa-arboriculture.co.uk

Tel: 07761 818721

Matt Rew - Technical Manager

Matt is an experienced project manager within the consultancy side of arboriculture, specializing in the appraisal and mitigation of impacts of proposed developments on trees, especially at the post planning, detailed stage. He has a wide range of IT skills, particularly in AutoCAD and database management. His experience has enabled him to develop strong personal links within the planning and environmental industries

  • HND Rural Resource Management – Plymouth University.
  • AA Technicians Certificate in Arboriculture.
  • Lantra Professional Tree Inspection.
  • Ongoing BSc (Hons) Arboriculture & Urban Forestry.

matt@daa-arboriculture.co.uk

Tel: 01342 311 917  |   07979 010 339