Experience

Forestry England

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Recreation Manager

  • Nov 2020 - Present

  Leading on managing the recreation sites within Thetford and Sandlings forests allowing me to demonstrate my skills to deliver against difficult and sensitive projects within the wider forest. I currently sit on the National Charging and the Permissions Review Boards; allowing me to utilise and share my extensive knowledge of managing specialist events at national level gained over 20 years. I am still sharing my knowledge by supporting the introduction of the new ‘Connections’ systems for events. I have been actively involved in the National Motorsport Steering Group, where new national policies for motorsport within the nations forests have been drawn up and streamlined. I recruite and support Recreation Rangers and I enjoy imparting my knowledge and developing the skills of new staff ensuring their integration into the organisation and for them to become team players and build working relationships. I am particularly proud of this aspect of my role, mentoring and supporting my direct staff as well as colleagues within Forestry England is, I feel fundamental. Working alongside business requirements, plans and budgets I negotiate and award contractors and third-party providers. I analysed and adapt current leases on offer, managing the administration and delegating work when I can to ensure an efficient and driven way forward. Recently undertaking ‘Conflict resolution’ training, the direct feedback that I received was “Nicky will be a great conflict resolution specialist because she speaks clearly, assertively, has a good sense of humour which puts people at ease with a pleasant presence”. Show less



Forestry Commission

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Recreation Ranger

  • Apr 2009 - Nov 2020

  RANGER THETFORD FOREST BASED 2008 – August 2018 AND November 2018 – November 2020I was required to develop a robust action plan to maintain 15 busy recreational sites for a variety of recreational needs as well as deliver over 100 specialist recreational events a year. Communicating between stake holders, volunteers, Forestry England (FE) staff and advising the public ensuring collaboration on managing recreation in multi-faceted and multi-use forestry.Keen on efficiencies I developed and streamlined processes. Firstly, for the specialist recreational events implementing changes in the consultation process and understanding the relevance of obtaining feedback and then consulting with all stakeholders. Secondly continuing to develop an on-line system for inspections of facilities, which ensures a ‘one stop shop’ for auditing purposes and demonstrating consistency across the district.With budget management skills, I worked within budgets balancing both business opportunities and business need; at the same time maintaining high Health and Safety standards.I used a multitude of mediums to deliver information to the public; social media, emails, and on and off-site meetings, I am adaptable to different views and strike a balance in difficult situations and discussions and am constantly supporting inter-departmental relations and engaging in listening and understanding of where my role sits within the organisation.Supporting the volunteer team at Lynford Arboretum for 10 years, I balanced sensitive personalities, different backgrounds whilst promoting individual skill sets to deliver core aims for the site and build relationships. I am very proud of what I achieved in this job and try to make my enthusiasm for it infectious, whist respecting the opinion and challenges of others. Show less

• Recreation and Communities Manger

  • Aug 2018 - Nov 2018

  I obtained for a short period (TRA), additional responsibilities to District ‘Recreation and Communities Manager’ for the Thetford and Sandlings area.The temporary role used all my skills required for my ranger role, whilst at the same time allowing me to expand my people engagement and management profile. I was required to be supportive and promote positive attitudes directly to staff, volunteers, and the public. I used my broad knowledge and experience to obtain effective solutions in a firm, fair and trustworthy manner. The feedback from my time in the TRA was positive, authentic and the team felt supported. I spent time with the Sandlings Ranger ensuring that she felt comfortable and focused to deliver on some large and sensitive projects. As well as identifying projects that could be postponed until the position had been filled. This ensured the ranger did not become overwhelmed and I worked within her capabilities but encouraged her to develop especially in the use of new technologies. In that time, I led on recreation finances ensuring the department still performed well and within budgets set against the district business plan and recreational goals. I continued to ensure the safe delivery of recreational activities and facilities and managed 3rd party events, partnerships and businesses using national policy to make accurate and effective decisions, this became the catalyst for the development of a more streamline consultation process. I represented the recreation department at meetings and maintained processes to ensure a smooth transition for the incoming manager. With this being a temporary position, I had to be confident, self-motivated, disciplined and seek out opportunities. Show less

• Recreation Ranger

  • Jul 2000 - Apr 2009

  RANGER HIGH LODGE BASED with one year secondment to Go Ape in 2007Part of the High Lodge Ranger Team, I was expected to deliver against projects whilst still fulfilling the day-to-day tasks such as litter picking, site checks, educational trips and engaging with the public. The team had to be a cohesive and unified unit to be able to jointly prioritise and remain diligent to the fast-paced world of a busy visitor attraction. This is where I honed my skills to engage with the public in an open and honest way, ensuring I was accountable by recording and investigating any accidents and reports. I also built relationships with 3rd party providers such as ‘Go Ape’ and ‘Bike Art’ and realised the importance their role in public benefit and commercial return. I delivered against projects such as Open Days and was instrumental in building the ‘What’s On’ programme which gave the public opportunities and access to activities such as the ‘Ranger Club’ and ‘Fungal forays. I worked from a rota that required weekend and bank holiday duties.2007I joined Go Ape on secondment from the Forestry Commission (FC) at the request of the Director of Go Ape. I entered the role of Personal Assistant (PA) and I worked with the Director to manage and ensure the implementation of business objectives, developing, and supporting staff on site around the country and advising them on issues arising, always in a calm and supportive way. I was required to plan and organise the Chief Gorillas busy schedule and be proactive and professional in all situations. Show less

• Ranger

  • Apr 1999 - Jul 2000

  I was a ranger within a busy tourist area in the Lake District, I supported the educational, voluntary, and public engagement within a team. Due to the nature of the team, it meant I had to be self-motivated and manage different strands of public engagements with a high priority in managing the safety of the public accessing the estate. I was successful in delivering the educational programme on site at Grizedale and I developed and implemented delivery plans for the outdoor education programme. Show less



National Trust

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Ranger

  • Jul 1997 - Apr 1998

  As the ranger for Blickling Hall Estate I had to take my own initiative to develop the role in a direction where I could build on the efficient use of volunteers and directly support them in broadening their opportunities within the park and ensuring that their Health and Safety needs were met and balanced estate requirements. I was proactive in developing events as well as supporting 3rd party events which encouraged a diverse audience, interacting with the public in a professional way and encouraging feedback Show less



Game Conservancy

• Assistant Estate Manager

  • Apr 1995 - Jul 1997

  My role within the Game Conservancy as estate assistant manager required me to develop and maintain good and sustainable relationships with stakeholders, landowners, and staff. I was expected to use my own initiative in managing my own time and gain the trust of landowners to allow me to access their land as well as implementing my knowledge on conservation and staff management. My role within the Game Conservancy as estate assistant manager required me to develop and maintain good and sustainable relationships with stakeholders, landowners, and staff. I was expected to use my own initiative in managing my own time and gain the trust of landowners to allow me to access their land as well as implementing my knowledge on conservation and staff management.



Gressenhall Rural Life Museum

• Gressenhall, Norfolk, United Kingdom

• Visitor Services

  • Apr 1994 - Apr 1995

  A role at a leading visitor attraction in which I supported the farm manager and manged volunteers, meeting the objectives of the Friends of Gressenhall and the owners Norfolk Museums. I ensured that a quality service was provided and explained farming methods with a positive attitude and a professional manner. A role at a leading visitor attraction in which I supported the farm manager and manged volunteers, meeting the objectives of the Friends of Gressenhall and the owners Norfolk Museums. I ensured that a quality service was provided and explained farming methods with a positive attitude and a professional manner.