Mike Clough
Chief Executive
Let me start by telling you who I’m not. I’m not a landscaper, I don’t do maintenance, I’m not part of an environmental group and I don’t run a construction company. I’m often referred to as, ‘the Japanese knotweed bloke’ and my goals can be described as education and eradication of anything to do with Japanese knotweed and invasive species in general.
I’ve had a lifelong interest and passion for the environment. Following qualification as a landscape architect at Leeds Metropolitan University in 1980, I became involved with the Garden Festival movement designing children’s play areas at the Liverpool and Stoke Garden Festivals. This work led to award winning children’s play area designs throughout the rest of the UK and the formation of my first company, Landmark.
Read MoreFrom the projects that the Landmark team completed, I became increasingly aware of the dramatic spread of invasive weeds – in particular Japanese knotweed – eventually deciding to turn my attentions solely to the issues surrounding this most aggressive of invaders. Japanese Knotweed Solutions Limited was formed in 2002 and the rest, as they say, is history.
But it’s a story that’s far from over. I spend much of my time traveling around the UK educating groups as diverse as local authorities, construction companies and environmental associations about the scale of the Japanese knotweed problem, how it spreads and how it can be stopped.
Aside from education, my other passion is eradication. I have built JKSL to be the number one service provider within the Invasive Weeds market. Alongside my excellent team, we provide identification and in-house eradication of non-native species, with all works covered by a ten-year insurance backed warranty, which is unique to the market.
It never fails to amaze me that there is little or no organised strategy in place to protect our native species from the onslaught of Japanese knotweed and other invasive species. It is my aim to raise public awareness over the issues of invasive species and to be seen as a trusted public figure, challenging the current attitudes and strategies of invasive weed management.
The Team You Can Trust
Over the 20 plus years we have been established, JKSL has evolved into an enthusiastic, highly skilled team of dedicated people. Find out a little more about each team member below and the role they play in the day-to-day running of Japanese Knotweed Solutions Ltd
Pam Clough
Director
Pam Clough
They say behind every successful man, there is a strong woman…. Multi talented, she provides support across the business but primarily in the finance department. Enjoys swimming, Pilates and the odd yoga retreat. But above all else, she loves nothing more than time spent with family, sharing good food and good times.
Alexander Dayes
Managing Director
Alexander Dayes
Alex has been at JKSL for over 18 years. His vast experience of surveying, designing and implementing non-native invasive weed remediation schemes is second to none, pricing and project managing some of the most challenging remediation sites in the UK. There isn’t a Japanese knotweed project that could phase him, he’s seen it all. And he extremely meticulous, to the very last penny. Alex can recall from memory, every site he has ever worked on and what we did, seriously, test him!
When he gets a little free time from his busy family life, he enjoys a spot of fly-fishing and mountain biking.
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Philip Whelan
Construction Director
Philip Whelan
Phil has been at JKSL since day one and has worked on some of the most technically challenging sites there is. His vast experience and expertise allows us to preemp any potential issues which may arise before or during works, allowing the job to run smoothly. Phil incorporates all these details into our tailored RAMS so clients can rest assured all aspects of the scheme are taken care of. Away from work, Phil and his wife, love spending time with their grandchildren. Phil enjoys getting out on his bike (even if it is electric!) and getting away for the weekend.
Lilly
The Plant Detective
Lilly
With one brown eye and one blue eye, Lilly the miniature dapple Dachshund is really quite adorable. She’s still mastering the art of detecting invasive plants, but she has incredible skills when it comes to sniffing out chicken! She loves her trips to the office, as do the team and she’s a sucker for a belly rub!
Jonathan Harris
Survey Director
Jonathan Harris
Jonathan has vast experience working on Japanese knotweed projects in the UK, the more technically challenging the better. Experienced in environmental science and IEMA, Jonathan will ensure your project meets with all of your environmental requirements. In-between working, DIY and looking after his young family, Jonathan likes to spend time in his man shed. King of the BBQ. Questionable taste in music. Aspires to have his own small holding in the future.
Ann Taylor
Finance Director
Ann Taylor
Working at JKSL since 2010, Ann works closely with the team to keep every aspect of JKSL’s finances in ship shape. Ann’s favourite part of her role is credit control, need we say more! Never take her up on a game of cards, she has the best poker face in town. Behind the straight visage, there is a soft side, and she is the go-to for the office and site teams for pretty much everything. Always first on the dancefloor at Christmas parties, always the last in a taxi home. And whatever you do, don’t forget the receipt!
Suzanne Hardy
Contracts & Marketing Director
Suzanne Hardy
Suzanne is the back-bone of the business and helps keep JKSL running seamlessly behind the scenes. From advising clients with their invasive plant projects, management of our Insurance Backed Guarantee products and our ISO 9001 and 14001 accreditations, she can do it all (and has done for over 17 years!). Suzanne is JKSL’s online presence, the brains behind our impressive social profiles and works closely with Mike Clough on the next marketing campaign. She has a love for all things equestrian and is lucky enough to share that passion with her mini-me daughter. Owner of a crazy cockapoo, named Eric!
Chris Oliver
Operations Manager
Chris Oliver
Chris heads up the Operations Team, overseeing each aspect of works on the ground and managing the proprietary JK Connect project management system. He is a qualified safety advisor, working to progress to Chartered membership of IOSH, and is JKSL’s Nominated Storekeeper, a qualified pesticides advisor and spray operator. Chris also chairs the INNSA Technical Standards Committee and sits on the Amenity Forum Education and Skills Committee. Chris co-authored the INNSA Code of Practice – Managing Japanese Knotweed and wrote the Amenity Forum’s guidance notes on invasive plant species.
Paul Cox
Site Foreman
Paul Cox
Paul has been at JKSL since 2007. He pretty much knows everything there is to know about all our sites. Once ‘King of the re-visit teams’, he knows our sites like the back of his hand. He now carries out new mechanical projects so you will most likely find him on an excavator. With hands the size of shovels, Paul was once a keen rugby player, but now his world revolves around his horses. At last count he had 7! Transport is never an issue for Paul, he has plenty of back up, and it’s environmentally friendly!
Richard Heyliger
Site Foreman
Richard Heyliger
Ric has been part of the JKSL family since he was just 16. Quite the perfectionist, you won’t see a neater waste management area or perfectly loaded dumper. When he’s not in a machine, you will find him in a tree, with a chainsaw, carrying out clearance works. He loves to jet away somewhere exotic, particularly Mexico, which has been his destination of choice since he spent his honeymoon there. If he’s not working out in his home gym, you will find Ric in his man cave on his PlayStation – true nerd at heart!
Alan Brown
Site Foreman
Alan Brown
At 6’ 7”, Alan can make quite an impression when you meet him. His height does come as an advantage when spraying those hard to reach areas of Japanese knotweed! He is awesome on an excavator, there is no job he will not complete to the highest standard. Away from work, Alan’s passion is clay pigeon and game shooting….and he’s a great shot. He has two working Labradors which he spends a lot of time training and enjoys a spot of fishing.
Nathan Jones
Spray Technician
Nathan Jones
As part of the revisits team, Nathan spends most of his time monitoring our sites throughout UK, carrying out treatments and inspecting progress of sites. He is super efficient and works closley with the Operations Team to ensure the schedule runs to plan. Out of work, his real passion is Motocross/Supercross racing and he has competed in races across the country since from 12 years old. He enjoys spending time with his fiancee and two young children, taking them to ballet and gymnastics and teaching them on the E -bike.
Gabriella Fagnani
Site Surveyor
Gabriella Fagnani
Having graduated from the University of Manchester with a first in physical geography and international study, Gabriella is well suited to her new role as Surveyor at JKSL. She spent a year living in Sweden and 7 months travelling South America, where she worked for a short time at a monkey rehabilitation centre! In her spare time, she enjoys playing football and is currently preparing for the Rome half marathon at the end of the year.
Michelle Scott
Contracts & Marketing Assistant
Michelle Scott
You will find Michelle speaking with new clients, advising them, reassuring them and organising site surveys. She ensures all our paperwork and contacts are processed and up-to-date before we start on-site. Everything she does is with the utmost care and fastidious attention to detail. Michelle is an avid DIY’er and keen advocate for Wildlife and likes nothing better than to test out her latest power tool on a garden or house project. Each year, Michelle likes to holiday in beautiful Devon and Cornwall with her family and has somewhat of an obsession with Motorway Services…particularly Tebay services on the M5 in Gloucester!
Emma Dudley
Accounts Manager
Emma Dudley
Emma has a first in Accounting and Finance from the University of Chester. Having worked in finance across various industries, retail, property, TV (cool!) and construction, it’s safe to say she quite like’s numbers! She is a proud parent to two adopted son’s who very much keep her on her toes! Somehow she manages to find time to play hockey twice a week for a local team.
Gareth Norton
Spray Technician
Gareth Norton
Gareth has a masters degree in Wildlife Conservation Project Management and is clearly passionate about the environment. His role on the revisit team takes him throughout the UK looking after our sites, which is perfect as he loves being outdoors. In his free time he likes to visit nature reserves and go hiking. Previously he has worked for Nature Conservation charities such as the RSPB and Lancashire Wildlife Trust. When relaxing at home, he likes to watch classic/cult movies, Sci-fi being his favourite genre.
Tavi Taylor
Site Foreman
Tavi Taylor
A dedicated and hardworking Site Foreman, Tavi is experienced in both Japanese knotweed herbicide treatment and mechanical remediation projects. He will turn his hand to anything and goes above and beyond his role. Away from work, Tavi enjoys spending days out with his young family and fiancé, to whoam he proposed to on Lake Bowness! When Tavi’s not spending money modifying his car, he likes to cook (or at least pretending he knows how to!).
Martin Gregson
Spray Technician
Martin Gregson
James Frost
Spray Technician
James Frost
Michael Blackburn
Spray Technician
Michael Blackburn
“We have employed Japanese Knotweed Solutions on a number of sites in the Knowsley area. They have an excellent understanding of our requirements and they liaise with us in a professional yet informal way. Japanese Knotweed Solutions have also provided valuable training to a number of our staff and our partnership agency staff.”
Knowsley Housing Trust
Harbet Road, London
The project constituted extensive enabling works including site clearance, multiple invasive plant species, hazardous materials, critical services, and industrial scale fly-tipping.
Japanese Knotweed Solutions (JKSL) employees demonstrated a wide range of competencies, including managing site and subcontractors for the duration of the works, installing fencing, scanning for underground services, chainsaw and tree works, mechanical invasive species remediation, applying pesticides and acting as plant operators, slingers and banksmen.
Value: £190K
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