Meet the team
Andrew Glover
Production Foreman
Andrew is one of the key glulam production workers, he is a certified timber grader and co-ordinates the finger jointing, clamping and timber preparation processes involved in glulam manufacture.
Hobbies: Anything to do with food, you will find Andrew in the front row.
Antonio Savinelli
Structural Engineer
Antonio is an Engineer graduate of the University of Naples (Italy). Antonio joined our technical team in 2018 and focuses on structural design – from simple projects to complex geometry needing three-dimensional structural modelling.
Hobbies: Flamenco dancing and guitar.
Brent Dicks
Production Manager
Brent has a background in the design and manufacture of aerospace components and provides a link between the design and manufacturing process. He plays a key role in informing the practical implementation of design in the workshop and during installation on site.
Hobbies: Marathon running and motorcycles.
Debbie Tyrrell
Administrative Assistant
Debbie is most likely to be one of the first people you speak to at Buckland, as her role is to be the first point of contact for enquiries. She also supports the team with administrative jobs. Debbie worked for 13 years as a school administrator before relocating to Devon in 2020 to join the Buckland team in August 2022.
Hobbies: Debbie loves cooking, walking her two naughty terriers and enjoys the occasional run.
Gary Stapleton
Factory Operative
Gary has an agricultural engineering background and has experience in a variety of manufacturing roles. He works on the factory floor making our glulam beams, which involves cutting, clamping, glueing, and planing.
Hobbies: Anything motorsport-related – motorbikes, Motorcross, superbikes, Gary is a petrolhead!
Ian Halsey
Operations Manager
Ian joined Buckland in November 2021. With a Diploma in Business-Improvement Techniques and a GNVQ in Engineering, he brings years of operational experience to the team. Ian oversees day-to-day operations, covering most elements of a project from customer enquiry right through to installations onsite.
Hobbies: Anything motorcycles & gardening
Jess Pearce
Engineer and Project Manager
Jess comes from a planning, environment and highways construction background and takes on the role of Engineer and Project Manager. Jess helps the Buckland team and customers with estimates, project management and carbon accounting.
Hobbies – Triathalete, keen cook and wine lover.
Julie Fishleigh
Accounts
Julie plays a critical role in coordinating the company’s logistics and finances.
Hobbies: Charitable work for her hometown of Hatherleigh.
Keith O Ceallaigh
Technical Manager
Keith is a graduate of Edinburgh Napier University. As our Technical Manager Keith has extensive knowledge of both the structural design of glulam buildings coupled with the technical aspects associated to glulam manufacture and logistics of installation.
Hobbies: Yoga and meditation.
Lajos Varga
Carpenter
Lajos has been a carpenter at Buckland Timber since 2014, with a background in bench joinery. He is able to work on any scale of glulam structure right down to where furniture grade jointing is required.
Hobbies: Fine wines and dining.
Lisa Pryce
Project Manager Estimator
Lisa’s background is in Civil Engineering and she spent ten years working in the Public Sector in London mainly in public transport infrastructure projects. She began working at Buckland in January 2024 working mainly on developing estimates and following up with new customers.
Hobbies: Lisa’s favourite thing to do is go on a hike somewhere away from the noise of the city. She also enjoys playing tennis, cycling and paddleboarding.
Nick Gilham
Carpenter
Nick has been a carpenter at Buckland Timber since 2013, Nick has experience in fabricating and erecting all types of glulam structures. Nick comes from a timber framing background and calls on this experience in any site troubleshooting that is required.
Hobbies: When not at work Nick can be found on the north coast surfing.
Peter Haley
Accountant
Peter initially worked at a Chartered Accountancy and then as Finance Director for a manufacturing company before setting up his independent accountancy practice in 2001. He moved to Devon in 2013 for a slower pace of life and now supports Buckland Timber will all things accountancy.
Hobbies: Peter enjoys running with Honiton running club and is an avid park runner with wife and daughter. He also loves walking the dogs and downhill mountain biking.
Peter Theobald
Project Manager Estimator
Peter is a Devon “born and bred” passionate local with over ten years’ experience working in timber construction both on the tools as a qualified joiner/carpenter and in sales and project specification. He helps the Buckland team and customers with estimates and project management.
Hobbies: Hiking, bouldering, and camping
Rhys Warren
Draughtsman
Rhys studied Industrial Design at Loughborough University. He enjoys using CAM programmes to 3D model and has a background in CGI, mainly to do with furniture design. He joined Buckland Timber in early 2021 and uses his skills to communicate the project designs through drawings and is involved with some project management.
Hobbies: Rhys can be found campervanning around looking for spots to surf, paddleboard and kayak.
Richard Bailey
Structural Engineer & Project Manager
Richard provides engineering and design support to our team. His input and experience guide customers so they get accurate quotes, drawings and information, and help with the timely delivery of complex project design and manufacture. He also does the occasional forensic investigation too.
Hobbies: Richard enjoys doing Park Run on a Saturday morning and playing tennis.
Richard Bateman
Storeman
Richard is responsible for daily sampling and testing of our glulam beams. When away from the testing machine he can be found ordering fixings and generally filling in on any carpentry in the workshop.
Hobbies: Walking his dogs, refurbishing and selling architectural antiques.
Robin Nicholson
Managing Director
Robin is the Managing Director of Buckland Timber, a Chartered Structural Engineer with approaching two decades of experience in structural engineering and design consultancy – specifically with timber, along with his knowledge of building and traditional construction methods and materials.
Hobbies: Wildlife and swimming.
Sophie Blackmore
Marketing
Sophie is all things marketing for Buckland. She looks after all the marketing-related activities for the business and makes sure we share project examples and helpful content with our customers.
Hobbies – running, reading and wine.
Steve North
Factory Operative
Steve joined us in 2019 and works on the factory floor making our glulam beams.
Hobbies: Steve is a beef farmer, his farm is in Morchard Bishop in mid Devon.
Tasha Currie
Sales & Logistics
Tasha joined the company in 2016 and manages quotations, ordering and haulage. She provides a key link between our customers and the production team.
Hobbies: Amateur dramatics, walking her three Huskies and women’s rugby.
Tomasz Roczek
Factory Operative
Tomasz is responsible for setting up and maintaining our machines ready for production. He also assists with glulam beams manufacture, turning raw materials into curves ready for the carpenters.
Hobbies – Cooking (Amateur chef at home), swimming, speedway
Umberto Zaninotti
Draughtsman
Umberto joined the company in 2015 as a experienced glulam specialist draughtsman. He is an expert in deciphering scribbled sketches and converting them into fabrication ready CAD files.
Hobbies: Skiing and cooking.
Wayne Adams
Storeman/Production operator
Wayne looks after our goods coming in and out and is the primary point of contact for anything stores related. When time allows he also assists with manufacturing glulam beams, turning raw materials into curves ready for the carpenters.
Hobbies – fostering dogs, motor racing and carpentry