Meet The Team

Gary

Associate

Before joining Raise, Gary worked in the private forest management sector across South Scotland and North England, with experience in commercial and mixed estates, woodland creation and the long-term management of productive woodlands. He studied Woodland Ecology and Conservation at the National School of Forestry in Ambleside and is pleased to be back in Cumbria, where his passion for woodlands began.

James

Director

Before joining Raise, James spent 28 years working across theatre and the third sector, moving to the Lake District in 1999 to join the newly opened Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, where he became Chief Executive. A Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, he has expertise in leading people, programmes and organisations through periods of change. James is Autistic and has ADHD, and is a passionate advocate for neurodivergent communities.

Zoe Pearson, Raise: Cumbria Community Forest's Data and Insights Manager

Zoe

Community Forester

Zoe grew up in North Cumbria before spending ten years in Glasgow, where she became involved in arts, culture and community-focused projects. She went on to study Agroforestry at Bangor University, developing a strong interest in the connections between people, trees, farming and sustainability. Her background in Communication Design and creative work informs her approach to engaging people and bringing ideas to life.

Nathan

Community Forester

Nathan joined Raise after completing a degree in Woodland Ecology and Conservation at the University of Cumbria. He is passionate about woodland creation and the role trees can play in supporting communities, improving access to nature, and delivering environmental and economic benefits. His work focuses on creating woodlands that bring lasting value for people and the environment.

Isobel

Programme Manager

A Project Manager, Coach and Leader, Isobel has worked with communities across North East England and Scotland’s Orkney Islands. With a background in Geography and International Law, she is interested in the connections between people and their environment, and in creating opportunities for communities to shape sustainable development.

Kathryn

Apprentice Community Forester

With a degree in Psychology, Kathryn previously worked in HR before moving into practical conservation and community engagement through volunteering. She joined Raise as an apprentice, where she is developing her knowledge of forestry and woodland creation while supporting the team to expand access and opportunities for communities to connect with green spaces.

Lauren

Marketing & Communications Manager

With a degree in Graphic Communications, Lauren has more than a decade of experience in communications across non-profits, start-ups and digital agencies, spending much of her career in British Columbia. She brings a strong creative and strategic approach to her work, with a particular interest in making information clear, engaging and accessible.

John