Staff Profiles
Russell Coombs
Russell Coombs originally trained and qualified in amenity horticulture; his introduction to arboriculture came whilst working for Wildernesse Golf Club, where he was involved with large-scale woodland work. In 2002 he obtained a distinction in a National Certificate in Arboriculture and in 2003 went on to successfully complete the National Diploma, obtaining Best Student Award in both qualifying years.
Whilst studying at Merrist Wood College he formed a partnership with a fellow arborist, Richard Arnold, and started 'Arragon Tree Care'. The partners successfully ran the business, which carried out all aspects of domestic and commercial sector arboricultural work, including large dismantles and fells.
At the end of 2003 Russell accepted a position as an Associate Lecturer at Merrist Wood College. His responsibilities involved organising lessons to teach a range of arboricultural skills including health and safety, risk assessment, maintenance of chainsaws, felling, dismantling, climbing and aerial rescue. Russell teaches pupils from a broadly differing range of abilities and ages, and was recently involved in designing a specialist course to cater for members of the RAF Rescue Team.
Russell qualified in May 2005 as an NPTC Assessor, certified to assess a wide range of NPTC units. He has also gained his Certificate of Competence in Thorough Examination of Arboricultural Equipment (LOLER), and successfully completed a course in Advanced Climbing Techniques.
In June 2005 the decision was made to merge Arragon Tree Care with Tree Craft Ltd, to form a company capable of competing successfully within the modern arboricultural industry.
At the same time, Russell and his business partner formed a distinct company, Arborcraft Training Ltd, with the aim to serve the training requirements of this burgeoning industry. Arborcraft Training Ltd runs courses for both the corporate and private sectors, and also takes on contracts from other training providers.
Russell is keen to keep abreast of new developments within arboriculture, and regularly attends industry-related courses and seminars. He is an active and committed member of the arboricultural community.
