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Our Team

With almost 20 years of expertise - project management, technical and community development - we help to improve the natural and built environment, create stronger neighbourhoods, provide opportunities for local training, realise young people's potential and engage the local business community.

Our professional services include community development and consultation, environmental education, landscape architecture, environmental business services and project management.

Staff Diagram 2008

Michael May - Group Managing Director & Chief Executive of Blue Sky. Mick joined Groundwork as Executive Director in 2003, after a successful career in investment banking. He has held a number of senior positions, including Managing Director of NationsBank and GNI Fund Management.  Mick’s focus is now on ensuring the health and sustainability of Groundwork Thames Valley and its subsidiaries. He is CEO to Blue Sky Development & Regeneration which he conceived and established in 2004.  Since 2005 he has also been Chairman of the Thames Valley Partnership.

Outside work his interests include music, fishing and history.

Gary Jacobs  – Executive Director of Groundwork Thames Valley. Gary joined GTV in 2007 after a successful career within the Groundwork Federation.  He became GTV's Executive Director in July 2008 and now manages all core Trust activities.  Before joining GTV he was Board member in Groundwork SE London for several years and still sits on the London and South London Committees. Previously he worked in operations/customer service with Thames Water, most recently as a consultant focussing on process improvement.

Outside work, his interests include golf, theatre and holidays in the sun.

Mick May





Gary Jacobs


Tim Knight  Director of Development & Innovation - Tim has a degree in environmental science, a masters in applied hydrobiology and 10 years experience of environmental regulation, pollution control and impact assessment. Tim is responsible for specialist staff who deliver a range of programmes in social and environmental regeneration. He also oversees Iver Nature Study Centre and the Reading Motor Project. Tim is an independent board member for Slough People First.

Outside work his interests include film, music and the outdoors.

Andrea McCubbin - General Manager, Blue Sky Development & Regeneration.  With an MSc in Geographical Information Systems, Andrea has over 10 years experience in the public and private sectors. Before joining Groundwork in April 2006, she worked for CACI and for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Andrea's interest in the analysis of crime datasets led her to become General Manager of Blue Sky in January 2007. She has responsibility for the development of commercial revenues, relationships with contractors, local authorities and funders, and for the operational management of the teams.

Outside work, her interests include music and tennis.

Ian Long, Programme Manager, West London Floating Classroom (WLFC).  Ian and his team manage WLFC Ltd, a subsidiary charity of GTV. WLFC operates an electric barge along the Grand Union Canal; it offers environmental education to schools and community groups and commercial opportunities to local businesses and groups.

Outside work his interests include boats (canal, sailing, motor and rowing).

Tim Knight




Andrea McCubbin, General Manager Blue Skyk



Ian's picture to be supplied

Paul Upward - Principal Landscape Architect - With experience in the private sector for Mott MacDonald and with 10 years working within the Groundwork Federation, Paul is responsible for Groundwork Thames Valley landscape architectural projects. He successfully supports the trust in its delivery of innovative, creative and sustainable projects across the Thames Valley Region.

Outside work, his interests include photography, badminton and natural history.

Paul Upward - Principal Landscape Architect

Stewart Pomeroy - Colne Valley Park Manager. Stewart leads the Colne Valley Park team, working on wildlife, recreation, access, landscape and education projects. He works with many external partners to maximise their contributions to the Colne Valley Park in terms of development and funding. 

Outside work his interests include music (playing trumpet and bass), Norwich City FC and family.

Stewart Pomeroy

Barry Watson,  Project Officer for Healing Gardens and Schools Gardens Projects. Barry enjoys the variety of his job and its opportunities to share his love of gardening by encouraging other people.  He has worked in conservation for eighteen years.

Outside work his interests include folk music, dancing and family.


Barry Watson

Kingsley ShadishCommunity Development & Partnerships Manager.  Kingsley has a PhD in environmental science, a masters in applied biology and over 8 years experience of working for the voluntary sector. He is a member of the Institute of Fundraising and the Chartered Institute of Management. Thanks to funding from Hillingdon Community Trust, Kingsley provides business development support for voluntary and community organisations in the south of Hillingdon. He is very experienced in community capacity building, training, evaluation and monitoring techniques.

Outside work his interests include travel, geography and family.

Kingsley Shadish

Sally Munn - Manager of Iver Nature Study Centre.  Sally leads a small team of employees and a large team of volunteers. Sally has initiated many groundbreaking programmes at Iver, such as the Saturday morning reading scheme and “Grow your own Veg”, and visitor experiences including the Rain Forest and Dig for Victory.  Before GTV, Sally spent 8 years in the publicity departments of Rank, Paramount, Cinerama and the National Film Archive, before leading the Costume Character department of Walt Disney Productions.

Outside work, her interests include writing, tennis, golf and the occasional ‘flutter on the horses’.

Sally Munn

Helen Coppock - Human Resources & Business Support Manager, Chartered MCIPD. Helen joined the Trust in 1999. She is an HR generalist and is responsible for all systems, policies and procedures covering personnel, office and volunteer management.  Helen has taken the Trust through a period of change during her time here, successfully leading on and achieving the Investors in People accreditation and the environmental management standard BS 8555. 

Outside work her interests include yoga and family.

helen Coppock
Ruth BoyerMarketing and Communications Manager - Ruth leads on all internal and external marketing and communications for Groundwork Thames Valley and its subsidiaries. Amongst other things, she is responsible for this website, press, PR, literature and branding.  Ruth joined the Trust in 2006, bringing marketing skills and experience gained in both the commercial and charitable sectors.  She has an Hons degree in Modern English Literature and the CIM Diploma in Marketing.  

Outside work, Ruth's interests include photography, surfing and the outdoors.
Ruth Boyer


For profiles of our other staff or to find out about our volunteers and board, please contact us.

Groundwork subsidiaries and centres

For more information about our subsidiaries and centres, please contact the people named below:

Blue Sky – Andrea McCubbin
West London Floating Classroom – Ian Long
Iver Nature Study Centre
 – Sally Munn
Com.Cafe
 – Sue Thomas