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Meet the team

Richard-Curtis-Blue
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Dr. Richard Curtis

Director/Owner

Richard has led and developed Aspect Arboriculture for 17 years, having previously spent 7 years researching public benefit forestry and environmental policy. He delights presenting as an expert witness, is obsessed with the evidence-based approach and has a keenness for stakeholder engagement. Sailing and hillwalking with Bosun are his principal vices.

Pat-Haythornthwaite-Blue
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Patrick Haythornthwaite

Principal Arboriculturist

Pat is the consummate professional, possessing foresight crafted in experience to ensure results; he oversees many of our most prestigious projects with the capacity to draw on the full team. Pat is happiest in the countryside with his dogs; he’s also a mediocre skier and enjoys the grounding of farm work at home. He can assist with all new enquiries and will lead projects from conception, through design, and towards successful applications.

James-Bardey-Blue
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James Bardey

Principal Arboriculturist

James’s recall and enthusiasm for absorbing the smallest details have led to his progression as a successful expert witness since joining in 2010. He has a special interest in veteran trees and Biodiversity Net Gain and has a particular obsession with rugby.

Justin-Hodges-Blue
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Justin Hodges

Arboricultural Surveyor

Justin has been with us since 2015 and is a man of detail, reflected in his encyclopedic knowledge of unusual tree species and cultivars – he is also a musician and therefore inherently articulate in his reporting. Justin heads our ground investigations and tree vitality monitoring, where detail and accuracy make all the difference in being a results-driven practice. Having spent most of his career to date in the field, he now enjoys supporting Patrick and James in the preparation of technical reports.

Gavin-Wright-Blue
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Gavin Wright

Technical & Graphics Consultant

The ‘Gavlar’ controls the flow and accuracy of all the data we provide – when not making things look great and ready on time, he’s training everyone else in the use of the latest tree survey and assessment software. His keen eye for detail enables him to deliver precise and efficient solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each project. Outside of work, he likes to entertain his family with his "legendary" guitar solos, "virtuoso" piano performances, and unparalleled air guitar skills—though they might describe it more as enthusiastic noise-making. Gavlar can often be found scurrying towards the buffet at a Christmas do and makes a mean cup of tea. Gavlar’s been carrying the Team since 2013.

Krys-Legierski-Blue
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Krys Legierski

Arboricultural Surveyor

Krys studied with Dan Smith, subsequently gaining his Professional Tree Inspection certification since joining us in 2020. As an outdoorsman and keen birdwatcher, he is at home in the trees – Krys is especially accomplished in undertaking our climbed decay work and tends to lead in the use of PiCUS and Resistograph investigations.

Dan-Smith-Blue
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Dan Smith

Arboricultural Surveyor

Dan joined Aspect in 2019 to further develop his Arboricultural expertise while completing a degree in Arboriculture. Passionate about nature, he has an insatiable curiosity for tree and decay fungi identification.

Balancing surveying with hands-on Arboricultural contracting, Dan stays at the forefront of industry best practices. His dual focus ensures he is well-equipped to specify technical tree risk management solutions and carry out practical operations with precision and care.

Graham-Neal-Blue
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Graham Neal

Arboricultural Surveyor

Erudite and professional, crafted by 20 years of contracting, academic and self-employed arboricultural experience. The consummate all-rounder in all aspects of technical arboriculture and undoubtably the best-dressed man at Aspect. Graham’s self-reliance and preparedness in his work are honed by a passion for solo trekking any place remote.

Jared-Cleary-Blue
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Jared Cleary

Arboricultural Surveyor

Jared is the archetypal outdoorsman and ready for anything. His infectious enthusiasm for trees is partnered with his eye for detail and efficiency - skills entrenched from his service as a paratrooper and sniper. Jared always gets his tree…

Gemma-Allen-Blue
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Gemma Allen

Office Manager

Gem ensures the day-to-day operations of the practice run smoothly by overseeing administrative tasks, staff management and office resources, as well as keeping us all in check, she heads up all the financial aspects and ensures client queries are not overlooked. Outside of work, Gem enjoys spending time with her family and enjoys a glass of pinot grigio or two!

Bosun-Blue
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Bosun

Head of sticks and mischief

Bosun has few redeeming qualities but will lift your spirits. He is currently working on his manners.

Bosun

Head of sticks and mischief

Bosun has few redeeming qualities but will lift your spirits. He is currently working on his manners.

Gemma Allen

Office Manager

Gem ensures the day-to-day operations of the practice run smoothly by overseeing administrative tasks, staff management and office resources, as well as keeping us all in check, she heads up all the financial aspects and ensures client queries are not overlooked. Outside of work, Gem enjoys spending time with her family and enjoys a glass of pinot grigio or two!

Graham Neal

Arboricultural Surveyor

Erudite and professional, crafted by 20 years of contracting, academic and self-employed arboricultural experience. The consummate all-rounder in all aspects of technical arboriculture and undoubtably the best-dressed man at Aspect. Graham’s self-reliance and preparedness in his work are honed by a passion for solo trekking any place remote.

Dan Smith

Arboricultural Surveyor

Dan joined Aspect in 2019 to further develop his Arboricultural expertise while completing a degree in Arboriculture. Passionate about nature, he has an insatiable curiosity for tree and decay fungi identification.

Balancing surveying with hands-on Arboricultural contracting, Dan stays at the forefront of industry best practices. His dual focus ensures he is well-equipped to specify technical tree risk management solutions and carry out practical operations with precision and care.

Krys Legierski

Arboricultural Surveyor

Krys studied with Dan Smith, subsequently gaining his Professional Tree Inspection certification since joining us in 2020. As an outdoorsman and keen birdwatcher, he is at home in the trees – Krys is especially accomplished in undertaking our climbed decay work and tends to lead in the use of PiCUS and Resistograph investigations.

Justin Hodges

Arboricultural Surveyor

Justin has been with us since 2015 and is a man of detail, reflected in his encyclopedic knowledge of unusual tree species and cultivars – he is also a musician and therefore inherently articulate in his reporting. Justin heads our ground investigations and tree vitality monitoring, where detail and accuracy make all the difference in being a results-driven practice. Having spent most of his career to date in the field, he now enjoys supporting Patrick and James in the preparation of technical reports.

Dr. Richard Curtis

Director / Owner

Richard has led and developed Aspect Arboriculture for 17 years, having previously spent 7 years researching public benefit forestry and environmental policy. He delights presenting as an expert witness, is obsessed with the evidence-based approach and has a keenness for stakeholder engagement. Sailing and hillwalking with Bosun are his principal vices.

Patrick Haythornthwaite

Principal Arboriculturist

Pat is the consummate professional, possessing foresight crafted in experience to ensure results; he oversees many of our most prestigious projects with the capacity to draw on the full team. Pat is happiest in the countryside with his dogs; he’s also a mediocre skier and enjoys the grounding of farm work at home. He can assist with all new enquiries and will lead projects from conception, through design, and towards successful applications.

James Bardey

Principal Arboriculturist

James’s recall and enthusiasm for absorbing the smallest details have led to his progression as a successful expert witness since joining in 2010. He has a special interest in veteran trees and Biodiversity Net Gain and has a particular obsession with rugby.

Jared Cleary

Arboricultural Surveyor

Jared is the archetypal outdoorsman and ready for anything. His infectious enthusiasm for trees is partnered with his eye for detail and efficiency - skills entrenched from his service as a paratrooper and sniper. Jared always gets his tree…

Gavin Wright

Technical & Graphics Consultant

The ‘Gavlar’ controls the flow and accuracy of all the data we provide – when not making things look great and ready on time, he’s training everyone else in the use of the latest tree survey and assessment software. His keen eye for detail enables him to deliver precise and efficient solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each project. Outside of work, he likes to entertain his family with his "legendary" guitar solos, "virtuoso" piano performances, and unparalleled air guitar skills—though they might describe it more as enthusiastic noise-making. Gavlar can often be found scurrying towards the buffet at a Christmas do and makes a mean cup of tea. Gavlar’s been carrying the Team since 2013.
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