Dr Keith Powell is a seventh-generation Black Mountains farmer and a vet.

He studied veterinary medicine at Cambridge University and lives with his family off-grid in the Brecon Beacons. He has planted tens of thousands of trees since childhood and once drove from Wales to Madrid with a car boot full of conkers, which he planted by the roadside (he ran out in Cognac). In 2017, he initiated the project to plant on Bryn Arw common, adjacent to the Powell family farm.

Robert Penn, former lawyer, round the world cyclist, journalist, best-selling author and broadcaster, moved to a house beside Bryn Arw, fifteen years ago.

Rob has been interested in trees for as long as he can remember — climbing them as a child, managing woodlands in the Black Mountains, writing about them as an author and journalist, and more recently, planting them to harness the many benefits they bring to the landscape.

Favourite tree: The Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
To be honest, Rob’s favourite tree tends to change, but at the moment, it’s the rowan. This key upland species is a reliable friend, especially when planting in thick bracken. It grows quickly, reproduces early, and provides food for both birds and, according to folklore, faeries. In winter, the bark of mature rowan trees develops a beautiful silver sheen, which gives Rob hope when spring still feels a long way off.

Fun fact: Rob grew up on the Isle of Man, where his mum would tie a cross made of rowan twigs above the front door every year on May 1st to ward off evil spirits and witches — a tradition he remembers fondly.

Dr. Mark Morgan is a third-generation Black Mountains farmer with a deep love and respect for the natural world. He originally pursued a career in geology, completing a PhD mapping part of the Atlas Mountains in North Africa. He went on to work as a research coordinator at the Institute for Landscape Planning and Ecology at Stuttgart University, focusing on improving agri-environmental schemes across the EU.

Mark returned home in 2000 to take over the family farm, where he follows organic and environmentally friendly principles. He has been involved with STUMP from the beginning, helping to prepare maps for the Bryn Arw site, and since 2022 has worked part-time as a field officer alongside Kate, specialising in small woodland and hedgerow creation schemes

Jenny grew up two hills down the river from Stump Up For Trees. She brings expertise in education, environmental land management and the importance of land manager expertise and lived experience.

Dr Jenny Knight joined us as General Manager in December 2022. She completed her PhD at the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research, has a Masters in Science and Technology Studies, and brings significant management and scientific experience to the team. She was also an expert panel member of the Trees and Timber Deep Dive Welsh Government Advisory board and has past involvement with the National Forest for Wales. 

Our operations manager Rachel started in August 2023. She is responsible for leading our woodland creation operations, leading over 20 volunteer days delivering over 45,000 of our 92,000 trees planted in the winter of 23/24.

Rachel also plays a key role in the nursery, and with our wider operations, including managing our monitoring and maintenance programs.

Rachel is our key long-term contact with landowners, supporting them both planting and throughout our long-term monitoring agreements.

With her background in horticulture and community leadership Rachel brings a unique skills set and delightful energy to Stump Up For Trees. She is currently also studying for a Masters at CAT in environmental studies.

Jenny Parry took on the role of the Stump Up For Trees Community Tree Nursery Manager in Sept 2024.

Jen is a local farmer and grazier on our pilot site Bryn Arw. She started working for SUFT part-time as an admin aficionado and then as our engagement officer. Working closely with our land managers and having had key oversight of nursery stock and tree logistics for the last few years has given her an inside out understanding of SUFT activities and developed a great background from which to take on the nursery. She has a great rapport with our volunteers and an organised, practical approach. Jen has a background in education and is a fantastic artist.

Andrew is a finance professional, woodland owner-manager and woodworker. He has spent most of his working life in and around finance. 

Gravitating naturally to the ‘commercial’ end of the sector, Andrew holds a number of Finance Director posts with small UK businesses and start-ups.  Additionally, he has been appointed to manage the financial, contractual and commercial side of specific major projects.  His background is in media and communications and also UK Furniture Designer-makers.  More recently, Andrew has brought his experience to Charities and Community interest Companies: he is engaged in supporting a number of social enterprises in southwest England. A ‘youthful’ 58, Andrew lives in the Cotswold household with his wife and two sons.

Celia started working as a SUFT volunteer in January 2024 before moving into the office.

She has lived in Abergavenny for 3 ½ years and, although she doesn’t come from a farming or scientific background, she has spent many years walking in the Bannau Brycheiniog and loves learning more about how we can positively impact our environment.

Celia found SUFT during a low point in her life, and spending time outdoors, learning new skills, being part of the office admin team, and generally being part of such a lovely group of people has brought her a lot of joy — and cake!

Favourite tree: The Sturdy Oak
Celia loves that oaks are so long-lived and must have witnessed so much. She also loves their appearance — the way they spread themselves out and stand as protectors. (Nothing particularly practical to add here, she admits!)

Fun fact:
The oak has been used to make ships since Viking times and by the Royal Navy until the 19th century. HMS Victory alone took 6,000 trees to complete, most of which would have been oak.

Another fun fact: Oak barrels are a popular choice for fermenting and storing many types of alcohol, including wine — which just happens to be Celia’s favourite tipple!

Liz holds a B.Ed in Primary Education, with a particular interest in creativity and exploring the natural world as a wholesome and fulfilling pathway for children.

She spent much of her childhood climbing trees — whether seeking inspiration or carefully tracking down bird nests to collect an egg with as little disturbance as possible. Liz has spent most of her life outdoors, where she feels most at home.

Favourite tree:
Liz doesn’t have a single favourite tree, but feels a strong connection to a particular oak tree from her childhood, which still stands proudly in Somerset. More recently, she has developed an admiration for the Whitebeam, especially in spring, when its grey-green leaf buds open like delicate tulips.

Fun Fact: The Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), native to North America, is highly valued in Europe for its hard wood, adaptability to different climates, and bee-attracting flowers. It’s even said that George Washington credited Black Locust wood for giving America a naval advantage during the War of Independence, as U.S. ships used Black Locust pegs, while the British relied on English Oak.

Phil Middleton worked in event management in Indonesia during the 1990s.

He returned to the UK to work in the conference industry, co-founding The Insurance Network in 2004, which company he stills runs with particular responsibility for sponsorship.