Key Team Members

James Blake

MLI

Partner and Principal

James Blake holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours (Landscape Architecture) gained in 1983 from Manchester Met University and a Diploma with honours (Landscape Architecture) gained in 1985 after a further course of study at the University of Greenwich. After 2 years working as an Assistant Landscape Architect at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and taking the Landscape Institute practice exams, James was elected a member of the Landscape Institute in 1988. James Blake is the founder and Principal of James Blake Associates. His experience covers both rural and urban projects of all sizes, working for both public and private sector clients, and he has also given evidence at numerous public inquiries across the country.

He is the author of a book on Landscape Architecture, which has become a standard student text and is endorsed by the Landscape Institute, called "An Introduction to Landscape Design and Construction" published by Ashgate Publishing. James also regularly lectures on the subject of Landscape Design.

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Louise Blake

Partner and Head of Human Resources

Louise graduated from Manchester University in 1982 with a BSc in Sociology and Home Economics and was employed as a teacher in London for 6 years following her PGCE from Liverpool University. Louise now works in the practice as Head of Human Resources and is a Partner.

Rachel Bodlam

Partner
Associate - Landscape Architecture

Rachel holds a BSc Hons in Landscape Design and Plant Science and a Diploma in Landscape Architecture, graduating from the University of Sheffield in 2000. She became a full Member of the Landscape Institute in 2003. Rachel permanently joined JBA in 2000 after previous employment as a year out student and has grown with the Practice to become Partner and Head of Landscape Architecture. Rachel is involved in a wide range of work within Landscape Architecture from assessment through to detailed design and construction. She has a special interest in strategic landscape assessment and assessment led design. She is actively involved in the preparation of landscape and visual appraisals, large scale masterplans and landscape and visual impact assessments for planning applications and as part of the Local Development Framework process.

Joanna Davies

Associate - Arboriculture

Joanna has been professionally concerned in arboriculture since 1993 and has been employed as a consultant since 2000. Joanna joined JBA at the beginning of 2007 as the Head of Arboriculture. During the normal course of Joanna's everyday work she project manages large and multi-disciplined ventures, is regularly requested to provide qualitative appraisals of tree stocks, assess trees in relation to proposed development and in relation to legal protection, comment on tree condition and prognosis, assess tree stability and hazard potential and assess trees in relation to direct and indirect damage to buildings and other structures. Joanna represents clients at informal hearings, public inquiries and in appeals and has been an expert witness for the Coroner and in the High Court.

Heather Mansfield

Head of Ecology

Heather has been working as an ecological consultant for six years, and joined James Blake Associates in March 2008. She holds a BSc Hons in Environmental Biology and Environmental Management and is a Member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.

Heather has worked on a variety of projects including highways work, renewable energy, housing developments and mixed-use city centre regeneration projects. She regularly advises clients on issues relating to ecology and holds licenses for bats, great crested newts and dormice. She has completed habitat management plans to fulfil planning conditions and ecological impact assessments for EIAs, and has appeared as an expert witness.

Robert Tash

Manager - Development Services

Bob has been the Manager of James Blake Development Services since 2004, assisting developers with adoptions of POS areas, eradicating Japanese Knotweed and general management of their completed landscaped amenity areas and open spaces. Bob has over thirty years experience in local government Property Services dealing with all aspects of a large organisation including adoption of Public Open Space Areas and 106 Agreements, Highway & sewer adoptions and Section 38 Agreements. He is a member of the Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management; Incorporated Engineer ICE; Technician Engineer T.Eng (CEI).

Angie Mason

Associate - Business Support

Angie has been with JBA since August 2001 and is our Business Support Associate. She works remotely from her home on the Cheshire/Shropshire border, making full use of her Broadband connection! Angie looks after the job list and invoicing for the Landscape Department and as Head of Business Support is involved in all aspects of the Practice.

Emily Mannering

Business Support - PA to Partners

Emily has been with the practice since May 2007. With a degree in Drama and Theatre Studies from the University of Kent, she came to us after 2 years at the BBC where she worked as a PA in both Radio and Television Drama. Emily assists James and Louise Blake with all aspects of the business as well as being part of the Business Support team.

Vivienne Jackson

Business Support - Business Support Coordinator

Viv will celebrate her 10th anniversary at JBA in February 2008 and during that time has seen the practice grow and develop. She is responsible for the coordination of the work within the practice and manages our Business Support Team ensuring that all daily administration and office duties are carried out. She also works closely with our Arboricultural team by supporting them and administrating their job list.