Meet the Team
Richard Bawden - Managing Director
There isn’t much Richard doesn’t know about turf care and grounds maintenance. His early career in the late Seventies was spent installing artificial cricket wickets across the UK and building his pitch care and grounds maintenance business. Having worked in the industry, man and boy, for many years he has acquired a wealth of specialist knowledge that is regularly called on by Bawden Group clients.
Nicola Bawden - Director and Company Secretary
Richard’s wife, Nicola, is responsible for HR, training and health and safety, and ensures the company’s employees meet all statutory and regulatory requirements in order to carry out their work professionally, safely and in line with industry best practice. She is an accomplished listener, mediator and motivator, which all help to build a loyal and reliable workforce.
Richard Stone - Director, Finance and Business Development
The company’s business performance and marketing are in very capable hands. Richard enjoyed a successful banking career prior to joining the Bawden Group to manage its finances. He now directs and monitors the company’s financial and business performance, marketing activity and the preparation of major contract tenders.
Stuart Honaker – Estates Manager, Grounds Maintenance Division
Based on site with our clients Serco at the Defence Academy Shrivenham, Stuart joined the Bawden Group to oversee the smooth operation of this prestigious 24/7 contract, drawing on his many years of management experience as one of Peugeot’s top 25 UK Service Managers.
Matt Loader – Supervisor, Tree Surgery Division
With a head for heights and an eye for perfection, Matt Loader, qualified tree surgeon, supervises the Bawden Group’s tree surgery teams. An affable and accommodating chap, don’t let this mislead you! He’s a stickler when it comes to professional excellence and the health and safety of his tree surgeons. In a business where mistakes can cost lives, Matt knows his stuff and makes sure his tree surgery team members do too.
Alan Stevens – Supervisor, Grounds Maintenance Division
Alan has broad experience of working for major facilities management organisations delivering grounds maintenance contracts on MoD sites and managing local authority contracts for landscape and grounds maintenance contractors. He currently supervises the Bawden Group’s larger grounds maintenance contracts and has forged strong working relationships with client managers.
Paul Tomlinson – Contracts Manager
A graduate of Pershore College of Horticulture, Paul provides landscape design for commercial and private schemes and manages the Bawden Group’s team of landscapers. Moving with the times, he has brought himself up to speed with landscaping technologies and disciplines such as irrigation, water harvesting, and erosion control, to provide a contemporary landscaping service. In addition he is responsible for some of our larger grounds maintenance contracts and also maintains the Bawden Group’s quality systems accreditation.
Melanie Stone – Payroll and Personnel
Mel is a familiar face and voice as far as Bawden’s established customers and suppliers are concerned as she is the company’s longest serving employee. She handles all payroll, PAYE and other staff pay related matters.
Denise Maidment – Office Administration
Although still only in her first year with the company, Denise has already made a big impact. Previously a manager with Sodexo, responsible for the delivery of outsourced catering to Wiltshire County Council, Denise has brought valuable skills to the Bawden team including a good appreciation of health safety, staff procedures and general management practice. She is also a trained Fire Marshall.