Jonathan Porter | Technical Director
Jonathan is a leading figure in the field of landscape ecology and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). He has contributed greatly to the emerging discipline of Landscape Character Assessment, having developed field survey techniques and pioneered the use of GIS as a tool for landscape planning. As a founding partner of Countryscape, he works closely with landscape ecologists, cartographers and graphic designers, providing consultancy in landscape planning, landscape assessment and GIS. Example work includes designing spatial strategies for planning and development; coordinating national information networks; ecological analysis and habitat Modelling; authoring and editing technical papers and reports; software development, user training and database design. Jonathan is a graduate of Cambridge University, where he studied Natural Sciences, specialising in ecology. Prior to joining Countryscape, he carried out research with The University of Reading and Imperial College at Wye, including researching the link between landscape character and biodiversity, and the development of a habitat creation model for targeting agri-environment schemes.
Paul Mahony | Creative Director
Paul has an extensive track record in communications and marketing, business development and knowledge exchange within both the public and private sectors, focusing on the environment and sustainable tourism. He has developed and managed communications strategies, information platforms and knowledge networks for organisations including the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), Natural England and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), amongst others. He has also led numerous projects within the tourism sector (including economic development activities), working with Scottish Natural Heritage, Cadw, National Trust and other major operators within the UK. Paul is a member of CharityComms, through which he provides advice to social enterprises. He currently manages the Oppla Secretariat on behalf of EU FP7 projects OPERAs and OpenNESS.
Jemma Simpson | Landscape Analyst
Jemma is a highly qualified landscape analyst; her academic background includes an ESRC CASE award PhD at the Centre for Urban and Regional Ecology (The University of Manchester), in collaboration with Salford City Council. This work explored environmental sustainability and its link with landscape, land use economics and community values. Jemma has a wealth of expertise in understanding landscape and she enjoys using these skills to help people to understand their landscape, celebrating it in ways they didn’t know they could. That could be through landscape characterisation and realising what is special or unique about their area, or understanding the goods and services, or nature based solutions provided by a landscape so it can be managed more sustainably and productively. Jemma believes that all landscapes are special and cherished by the people who live, work and play in them and that landscape is vital for people’s wellbeing, health and happiness. Jemma appreciates how GIS and mapping can bring a range of disparate information together to create a clear picture of a place, how it works and interacts. Jemma helped to prepare the Talking About Our Place Toolkit for SNH and the Ecosystem Approach Handbook with Natural England. These are both valuable tools for helping people to discover and value landscapes and place.
Laura Partington | Landscape & Urban Planner
Laura has a diverse background in the environmental sector, with experience ranging from community engagement and historical interpretation, to project management and landscape planning. She is a graduate in Geography from the University of Manchester and has completed a MA in Urban Design. Laura is experienced in stakeholder engagement and has facilitated a variety of consultation events, such as those for the Manchester Climate Change Action Plan and for the proposed extensions to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. She has contributed to the writing of landscape guidelines for the Malvern Hills AONB Landscape Strategy and has also administered the Landscape Character Network (LCN) on behalf of Natural England. Prior to joining Countryscape, Laura worked as a Senior Community Link Officer for the Groundwork Trust, where she successfully managed a wide variety of regeneration projects.
Ivan Gajos | Graphic Designer
Ivan is a highly respected art director and photographer who has worked for a number of international design agencies in both the UK and Australia. His expertise encompasses a variety of contemporary and classic styles, though he is perhaps best known for his clean and functional approach to graphic design, the results of which have been applauded by clients such as the Countryside Agency, IBM, Guinness and American Express, to name a few. Ivan has experience of teaching graphic design software and techniques at a professional level, and continues to gain a reputation as an expert in design communications, applying solid creative principles to an ever-expanding repertoire of media.
Michael Shaw | Web Developer
Michael has over 20 years experience in design communications, working extensively with both print and web-based media. During this time he has gained expertise in a range of commercial design techniques, including desktop publishing and typography, website design and build, digital mapping, cartography and multi-media applications (including interactive maps and Adobe Flash animation). Example work includes the production of leaflets, reports, websites, maps and other media for government agencies, local authorities and private businesses. Prior to joining Countryscape, Michael developed advertising tools, logos and promotional literature for clients such as Rolls Royce, Sainsbury’s and the Cooperative Wholesale Society.
Matthew Brown | Graphic Designer
Matthew is an acclaimed creative designer with proven expertise in communications media. He has a wealth of experience in the commercial sector, developing brand identities, advertising tools and promotional literature for a variety of blue chip clients. He is particularly skilled at conceptual design and is able to translate the most complex messages into clear and meaningful visual form. Example work includes development of national brand identities; production of public and professional print media; icon design for maps and websites; creation of workshop tools and large format display materials. Furthermore, his expertise extends to freehand sketching, illustration and visualisation, which he often applies in the context of community planning and involvement.
James Atkinson | Communications Officer
James has a strong background in communications. His experience includes securing local, sector and national media coverage, organising events, producing online content and engaging audiences at all levels - from the general public to senior politicians. James studied Economics and Politics at the University of Sheffield before working in the renewable energy and charity sectors. He now helps to coordinate the communication, dissemination and exploitation activities of two major EU-funded programmes, as well as managing several visitor-engagement projects in the tourism sector. James has helped raise the profile of organisations, projects and campaigns through both traditional and new media and he is skilled at developing website content, blogs, social media accounts, podcasts and video content.
Tom Butlin | Developer
Tom is a highly experienced and inventive web and GIS developer. He has been involved in every aspect of building many different websites and apps, from server admin through database design and back-end development, to front-end development and user experience architecture. Clients including the University of Manchester, the University of Leicester and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have entrusted him with highly complex projects, often featuring online mapping. He is also a certified ArcGIS Desktop Professional and has built a reputation in the use of GIS in the environment sector, with skills including GIS analysis, data management and cartography.