About Us
Company Profile
AWA Tree Consultants was formed in 2012 by Adam Winson, Chartered Arboriculturist. Since then we have quickly grown to become a leading arboricultural consultancy with a reputation for providing high quality, fast and cost-effective arboricultural advice.
Based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, our centrally located headquarters gives easy access to most of England and we regularly travel across the country.
We have a detailed understanding not just of trees, but how they fit in planning policy, the legislative framework and other key factors that influence how trees impact people and the built environment.
We have a dedicated, friendly and experienced team, committed to assisting you with your project.
OUR TEAM
Adam Winson
Chartered Arboriculturist, MSc, BSc (Hons), MICFor, MArborA, QTRA & VALID Registered
Adam is the company Director and Principal Consultant. He has a mix of the highest-level academic qualifications and relevant work experience. He has worked within the tree care profession for over 20 years, 15 of which as a consulting arboriculturist. Adam was awarded an MSc in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry, with distinction. Adam is a Chartered Arboriculturist and a Registered Consultant with the Institute of Chartered Foresters, a Professional Member of the Arboricultural Association and has original research published by the UK Forestry Commission. His work ranges from supporting the wider AWA team, individual expert tree inspections, managing trees on major infrastructure projects and he has appeared as a tree expert, at planning appeal hearings up to the Crown Court.
James Brown
Chartered Arboriculturist, BSc (Hons) Arboriculture, MArborA, PTI (Lantra), QTRA Registered
James is a highly experienced and qualified Arboricultural Consultant. He has a BSc (Hons) in Arboriculture, attaining first class honours, as well as being awarded the Institute of Chartered Foresters student award. He is a Chartered Arboriculturist, a Professional Member of the Arboricultural Association, and a full Member of the Institute of Chartered Foresters. James joined AWA in 2016, he has many years experience as an Arboricultural Consultant, he previously worked in Europe’s largest container tree nursery and he has experience of local authority Tree Officer work.
Liv Haddrell
BSc (Hons) Computing & Information Systems, Project Management Professional (PMP) Certified /ITIL Foundation
Liv is AWAs Admin /Project Manager. She brings over 10 years of IT Programme & Project experience to support the team, to ensure multiple projects are completed efficiently. From communicating with clients, scheduling of workloads, management of data and the day to day running of the office. Liv’s excellent organisational and communication skills allows our team of Arboriculturists to focus on providing solutions clients tree issues.
James Godfrey
BA (Hons), FdSc Arboriculture and Tree Management, TechArborA, PTI (Lantra), QTRA Registered
James has had extensive arboricultural experience working as an arborist within the public and private sector. While working at AWA, James completed his FdSc in Arboriculture and Tree Management, graduating with a distinction and was also awarded for achieving the highest overall mark in his year. James has used his arboricultural knowledge to inform and carry out accurate tree surveys and produce detailed reports that aim to balance appropriate tree retention with the requirements of landowners.
Joe Thomas
MSci Biology, Award L4 Arboriculture, PTI (Lantra), QTRA Registered, TechArborA
Joe achieved a first class degree in Biology with an integrated Masters (MSci) from the University of Sheffield. Additionally, he has a Level 4 Award in Arboriculture. Joe joined AWA after an Urban Forestry role with the Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust and Sheffield City Council, where he gained a variety of experience in different aspects of the arboriculture sector.
Ross Lane
FdSc Environmental Conservation, Diploma Arboriculture, TechArborA, PTI (Lantra), QTRA Registered
Ross has a diverse background spanning horticulture, arboriculture, and ecology. Ross has extensive experience conducting surveys throughout the UK and has worked on projects of all sizes, including major infrastructure projects such as HS2. In his previous role as a Tree Inspector at Derbyshire County Council, projects involved managing the county wide tree stock in relation to the ash dieback response and contributing to ambitious County Council targets of planting a million trees. Possessing technician-level membership with the Arboricultural Association, coupled with a comprehensive range of qualifications from tree risk assessment to habitat management, underscores Ross’ dedication in professional arboriculture.
Lucy Garbutt
MSc Animal Behaviour, BSc (Hons) Biology, CIEEM membership, TechArborA, PTI (Lantra), QTRA Registered
Lucy graduated with a masters degree in Animal Behaviour from the UK’s highest rated university, St Andrews of Scotland, immediately following the completion of her BSc degree in Biology from Lancaster University. Lucy has experience in botany and plant science and moved into arboriculture after previous experience of protected species and botanical surveys with a large environmental consulting company.
Max Caulton
BA (Hons), FdSc Arboriculture and Tree Management
Max is an Arboriculturist at AWA with a broad background in arboriculture, ecology and forestry. He has
experience in ecological surveying, woodland management and habitat conservation, including protected species
surveys and ecological clerk of works duties. His practical experience is supported by a range of NPTC and
LANTRA qualifications, including tree climbing and chainsaw use. Max supports AWA’s consultancy work through
tree surveying and reporting, contributing to the delivery of projects across the wider team.
Brandon Townsend
BSc (Hons), QTRA Registered
Brandon is an arboricultural technician at AWA Tree Consultants, combining his practical experience with academic study. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Biology from Bangor University, where he developed a strong interest in woodland ecology and the role of trees in shaping landscapes.
Before joining AWA, Brandon gained hands-on experience in the tree care industry, completing his Level 2 chainsaw certification and working in practical arboriculture. He also spent time as a tour guide in the Peak District, deepening his knowledge of the region’s natural environments.
Brandon is completing a Level 4 Arboriculture qualification at Myerscough College, one of the UK’s leading institutions for land-based education. His role at AWA Tree Consultants involves assisting with tree surveys for planning applications, tree risk assessments, and arboricultural reports. He is also gaining technical expertise in tree inspection methods, including the use of PiCUS sonic tomography for assessing internal decay.
Brandon has quickly developed his surveying skills and has gained further qualifications such as Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA). His passion for arboriculture and commitment to professional development make him a valuable addition to the AWA team.
