The Team

Qualifications & Brief Career Details

Ruth Elwood: Managing Director, BA(Hons) DipLA CMLI

Qualifications:
1989 & 1990: BA(Hons) Degree & Post Graduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture from the Gloucestershire College of Arts & Technology.
1992: Landscape Institute Professional Practice exams, became a Chartered Member of the LI (CMLI).

Employment:

2006: Set up ELD, Stowmarket, Suffolk 1999: Set up ELD, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire 1996: Tim Lynch Associates: Bath, Avon

1993: Acer Environmental, (Welsh Water), Cwmbran, South Wales 1990: Derek Lovejoy Partnership, London

Experience Summary:
Working in private practice for the past 19 years, Ruth has an extensive level of experience in all aspects of landscape architecture. During this period, Ruth has been responsible for managing and implementing numerous landscape and visual impact assessments; masterplanning of new village developments; the detailed design of hard and soft elements for hundreds of schemes, to include residential developments, new parks, schools and domestic garden designs; tree surveys and planning application related work for large and small residential and commercial developments. She has acted as a consultant to Local Authorities, commenting on planning applications and Many of these projects are highlighted across the project list.

Her key role is to take the business from strength to strength, especially during these trying economic times, keeping her feet securely anchored to the ground, providing a stable and cost effective service to clients. As the number one contact in the business clients, she provides an unprecedented level of dedication to her staff and clients, where nothing is too much trouble.

Managing the Practice portfolio has broadened her experience and as an enthusiastic and motivated team player, Ruth is ready to meet new challenges. To ensure that she can step into a project at any time, at any level, she is fluent in AutoCAD and all of the Microsoft packages.

 

Abby Jones: Associate Landscape Architect,

BSc (Hons) Dip LM CMLI

Qualifications:
1996-1999: Degree - B.Sc. (Hons) Landscape Design and Ecology from the University of Sheffield.
2000-2001: Diploma - Landscape Management from the University of Sheffield.
2004: Landscape Institute Professional Practice exams, became a Chartered Member of the LI (CMLI).

Employment:            
2009: ELD, Stowmarket, Suffolk     
2008-2009: Bidwells, Cambridge, Senior Landscape ArchitectTop of page
2006-2008: Cambridge City Council, Cambridge, Landscape Architect
2004-2006: James Blacke Associates, Lavenham, Senior Landscape Architect
2002-2004: James Blake Associates, Lavenham, Landscape Architect
1999-2000: James Blake Associates, Lavenham, Year Out Landscape Architect

Experience Summary:
After 10 years of experience in the public and private sector, Abby joins ELD as our new Associate Landscape Architect. Her responsibilities shall include project and team management to include training, checking for quality control and marketing in conjunction with Ruth Elwood, the Director.

Her extensive background includes management of large, multi-disciplinary teams and projects, conducting: Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Reports; Vision Statements; Design & Access Statements; Masterplanning; site surveys and detailed hard and soft design for housing developments, schools, parks, play areas, nature reserves, private gardens, pubs and restaurants. Other areas of expertise include contract preparation, measured works specifications, cost estimations, management plans and corporate marketing.

Her extensive local authority experience gained whilst advising Development Control and promoting land through the Local Development Framework will further enhance ELD’s planning application capabilities. She has exceptional technical skills in AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, SketchUp, and Arc View GIS systems.

Abby is currently registered as a Mentor with the Landscape Institute, successfully taking her Candidate through the Pathway to Chartership process. She has also served as a Committee Member for the East of England Branch of the Landscape Institute for many years.

 

Louise Wiseman: Landscape Architect, MA(Hons) LA

Qualifications:
1997 - 2002: MA(Hons) in Landscape Architecture from Heriot Watt University.

Employment:
2005: ELD, Stowmarket, Suffolk.
2002: James Blake Associates, Lavenham, Suffolk (graduate).
2000: James Blake Associates, (year out student & part time through final year at University).

Experience Summary:
Working in private practice for 9 years, Louise has a broad level of experience in landscape assessment, masterplanning, detailed design, planning application related work for large and small residential developments, and administration of contracts. Her skills include extensive tree and plant knowledge, good graphic ability and a high proficiency in Computer Aided Design programmes such as AutoCAD 2006, Photoshop, and desktop Windows packages. During Louise’s year out she worked overseas as a landscape architect in Louisiana, USA.

Louise and Ruth together have designed the ELD Ltd web site, the ELD logo and all of the practice marketing data.

Louise is currently working towards her Pathway 2 Chartership Professional exams in order to become a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute.

 

Lauren Colunga: Landscape Architect, MLA ASLA

Qualifications:
2000-2002: Masters in Landscape Architecture (MLA) College of Environment and Design, University of Georgia (UGA), USA.
1996-2000: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Botany Minors in French and Business University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
1996: Graduated Plano Senior High School, Plano, TX. AP Scholar with Distinction.

Employment:
2009: ELD, Stowmarket, Suffolk.
2006 - 2008: Owner and Instructor, Stroller Strides®, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.
2005: Volunteer, Mahae Landscape Architecture Firm, Okinawa City, Japan.
2003 - 2004: Environmental Program Coordinator, Team Integrated Engineering, LLC.
2001- 2002: Design Intern, Better Hometown Program, Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
1999 - 2000: Plant Retail Specialist, Gardens Nursery and Landscape Architecture, Austin, Texas.
1996 -1997: Plant Retail Specialist, The Great Outdoors Garden Center, Austin, Texas.

Experience Summary:
Lauren is an American landscape designer with international experience in Japan, Germany, the UK and Italy. . During her Intern, she became the design expert for 15+ communities, advising on historical restorations and collaborating with local officials to address development issues. Following her graduation she became an Environmental Program Co-ordinator for the US Department of Defense in Germany, executing a $270,000 contract for writing of environmental, health and safety management policies for U.S. DOD military bases in Portugal, Turkey and the UK, co-planning and conducting compliance assessments for these bases, and directing resolution violations for all U.S. military installations in Europe.

Lauren spent 4 years in Japan, firstly as a landscape architect analysing urban infill patterns, conducting site surveys and constructing ground terrain models. Most recently she was the sole proprietor of the first overseas stroller fitness franchise, built up from zero, to include two premises with over 100 members and five employees.

Moving to the UK in 2009 has led her to a very exciting future with ELD. We are tremendously fortunate to have her expertise as part of our team as she is fluent in AutoCAD and numerous other software packages. She has excellent botanical knowledge with exceptional graphic, written and verbal and communication skills. Lauren is currently working towards her Pathway 2 Chartership Professional exams in order to become a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute.

Lauren now acts as a freelance landscape architect for ELD, whilst pursuing career opportunities.

 

Julie Howe: Office Manager and Director’s PA

Qualifications:
2006: Currently working towards a MBa in Business Management through the Open University.

Employment:
2006: ELD, Stowmarket, Suffolk
1995: James Blake Associates, Lavenham, Suffolk – Practice Manager,
1993: Personal Assistant with special responsibilities
1991: Secretary to the Principal,
1976 - 1984: E R Holloway Ltd (Cosmetics & Toiletries Manufacturer) – Stats clerk, Receptionist, Secretary, PA & account executive for companies to include Miss Selfridge, Body Shop, and Marks & Spencer.

Experience Summary:
Working in a busy landscape design practice for 15 years with various secretarial roles, Julie has experience in general administrative duties and office management, with responsibility for a large number of administration and professional staff. She has also been responsible for meeting turnover targets, accounts, invoicing and fee quotes, work allocation, client liaison, LPA negotiation on outstanding approvals, marketing and much, much, more!

Julie has joined our practice to help us develop our marketing strategy and assist in general client/LPA liaison, whilst keeping us organised within an expanding office structure.

Stephen Hayden Dip. CM, ND, Arb, M.Arbor.A.: Arboricultural Consultant

Qualifications:
- Member of the Arboricultural Association.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Countryside Management from London University.
- National Diploma in Arboriculture from Merrist Wood Agricultural College.

Employment:
1997 onwards: Principal of Hayden’s Arboricultural Consultancy.
1994-1997: United Nations Development Programme’s Global Environment Facility, being seconded to the Wildlife Conservation Society for Tanzania: Co-ordinator of the East African Coastal Project in Southern Tanzania.
1989-1994: East Cambridgeshire District Council: Arboricultural and Landscape Officer.
1987-1993: Independent Forester and Tree Surgeon.

Experience Summary:
Stephen has worked within the Arboricultural Industry for 22 years and currently acts as Principal for Hayden’s Arboricultural Consultancy, which has an established reputation for being one of the best consultancies in East Anglia. He has a broad knowledge of both the private and public sectors of arboriculture, undertaking tree surveys and providing expert advise at planning appeals and inquiries for a wide range of clients, including: Architects; Landscape Architects; Land Surveyors / Estate Managers / Planning Consultants; their Development Companies and Housing Associations nationwide. He has also acted as Arboricultural Consultant for four Local Planning Authorities, commenting on planning applications and the impacts of proposed development.

His Practice now provides regular arboricultural services in collaboration with ELD, to review and assess trees in relation to planning applications, as part of the ELD landscape and arboricultural package offered to clients.

Stuart Pankhurst BSc MSc DIC MIEEM: Ecological Consultant

Qualifications:
2003 -2004 Imperial College London MSc and Diploma of Imperial College - Environmental Technology (ecology specialism)
1995- 1998 Kingston University BSc hons in Applied Biology:

Employment:
2006: Director & Principal Ecologist, Southern Ecological Solutions Ltd (SES)
2004: James Blake Associates, Lavenham, Suffolk – Associate, Head of Ecology
2004: James Cook University (Australia)
2003: Astrazeneca
2002: Aventis
1999: GSK
1997: Centre for the Environment and Aquaculture Science

Experience Summary:
Whilst studying for his BSc in Biology, Stuart gained part time experience as a marine science officer and following graduation, took time out to travel, working in Australia, Canada and the USA, spending much time in the Australian rain forest studying the stability of thermal ecology. In 2003 he returned to his studies and undertook an MSc at Imperial College and began working professionally as an ecological consultant in private practice; finally establishing Southern Ecological Solutions Ltd in 2006.

As Director of SES, the vast majority his work has focused on development related projects of various sizes and complexities; undertaking Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA’s) for new developments, involving up to 2400 homes for sites in excess of 200 hectares.

Stuart and his team at SES now provide regular ecological services in collaboration with ELD, to review and assess sites in relation to planning applications, as part of the ELD landscape and ecological package offered to clients.