
Darren Greatbatch BASIS MBPR CSJK
Specialist Advisory Manager
(Amenity & Invasive Weeds) Nationwide
Alan Dowsey
×With over 25 years of horticultural experience working as a Greenkeeper at the level of 1st Assistant, Alan has been dealing with Japanese knotweed for the last five years and joined Japanese Knotweed Ltd in April 2017.
He is NPTC qualified in pesticide applications including PA1, PA6A, PA6AW and PA6INJ. Covering North Wales, West Midlands and the North of England, he also assists with trial digs, supervisions and assists with excavation contracts when needed.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
CSCS H&S Test | Emergency First Aid at Work | City & Guilds NPTC PA1, PA6A, PA6AW, PA6INJ |
Harnesses & Working at Heights | Lone Working Safety Awareness | Asbestos Awareness Training |
LANTRA Brushcutter | Working at Height Awareness | Company Driver - Safety Awareness |
Andrew Gibbins
×Andrew joined us in June 2021. He has years of experience treating invasive species in commercial and residential properties. He’s a keen golfer and once placed 4th in the Open.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | Emergency First Aid at Work | Working at Height Awareness |
Company Driver - Safety Awareness | Noise Awareness | Lone Working Safety Awareness |
HAVS Awareness | Manual Handling | Chainsaw Operator Licence |
NPTC 127073 | City & Guilds NPTC PA1, PA2A, PA6A & PA6ING | Emergency First Aid at Work |
Manual Handling | NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA2A, PA6A |
Andrew Holley
×Andy is responsible for Japanese Knotweed Eradication and Excavation contracts in the North of England including the counties of Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire. His work takes in many key cities and towns such as Chester, Widnes, Lancaster, Blackpool, Barnsley, Wakefield, Stoke on Trent and Matlock.
Andy is employed by Japanese Knotweed Ltd as a Team Leader and he has a wealth of experience in eradicating and treating Japanese Knotweed which enables him to work on commercial and residential sites.
Andy’s qualifications include FdSc Countryside and Recreation Management and he holds the Site Supervisor Safety Training certificate.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
CSCS H&S Test | Emergency First Aid at Work | City Guilds NPTC PA1, PA6, PA6A PA6AW |
Asbestos Awareness Training | Working at Height Awareness | Harnesses & Working at Heights |
Company Driver - Safety Awareness | CITB Health, Safety & Environment | Abrasive Wheel Safety |
SSSTS - Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme | ROLO H&S Awareness | ASA-CG Cable Avoidance Tool and Genny |
Noise Awareness | FdSc Countryside Conservation and Recreation Management | Lone Working Safety Awareness |
CPCS - Forward Tipping Dumper - Wheeled | CPCS - Tracked Excavator 360 Above/Below 10T |
Darren Greatbatch BASIS MBPR CSJK
×Darren has worked in Amenity and invasive weeds for over 20 years and joined Japanese Knotweed Ltd in 2019 where he conducts invasive weed surveys, provides herbicide recommendations and invasive weed treatment programmes.
Darren is a BASIS certified crop advisor in Invasive and Injurious weeds and Hard surfaces. He is also an NSK BASIS storekeeper.
He has previously managed and operated a large family-run contracting business in Wales, spent 20 years within Amenity weed control, working mainly for local authorities, and advised on sports and golf venues on weed control and nutrient input.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed (CSJK) | BASIS - Amenity Horticulture Hard Surfaces | BASIS - Dangerous Goods by Road |
BASIS - Invasive and Injurious Weeds | BASIS - Storage and Handling of Crop Protection Products | BASIS Professional Register - Full Member |
NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA2, PA6A | NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA6AW, PA6ING | Chainsaw Operator Licence |
COSHH Awareness | Emergency First Aid at Work | HAVS Awareness |
IOSH Managing Safely | Manual Handling | NPTC - ATB 101736 - P1134/SH/2/87 |
NPTC - ATB 101746 - P5104/FCH/2/87 | PCA Qualified Technician in Japanese Knotweed | Asbestos Awareness |
David Hilton CSJK
×With over 30 years horticultural experience, including working as Head Gardener on a private estate and teaching horticulture at Myerscough College, David joined Japanese Knotweed Ltd in September 2016 with a wealth of horticultural knowledge.
He is NPTC qualified in pesticide application, including PA1, PA6A and PA6AW and is also qualified to City & Guilds Level 5 in Sports Turf and Horticulture. David covers both residential and commercial sites performing Knotweed Surveys, advising clients on the most efficient remediation techniques to deal with their Japanese knotweed issues. He also carries out herbicide treatments.
He is responsible for Knotweed Surveys in north Wales, West Midlands and the north of England, up to the Scottish border. He covers such major cities as Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | Company Driver - Safety Awareness | Emergency First Aid at Work |
Harnesses & Working at Heights | Lone Working Safety Awareness | Manual Handling |
NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A, PA6AW | PCA Qualified Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed | Working at Height Awareness |
Eugene Duffy CSJK
×Eugene joined Japanese Knotweed Ltd in August 2020 having previously worked in invasive weed treatment. Eugene has a strong background in both Agriculture and the Built Environment with a masters degree in Civil and Architectural Engineering from the University of Bath. Eugene qualified as a Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed (CSJK) in 2021
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed (CSJK) | COSHH Awareness | Emergency First Aid at Work |
Lone Working Safety Awareness | Working at Heights | Manual Handling |
NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A | MEng (Hons) Civil and Architectural Engineering | PCA Qualified Technician in Japanese Knotweed |
Asbestos Awareness |
Gary Hayes
×Gary is one of our longest-serving members of staff with a wealth of knowledge and experience in knotweed identification and remediation services. He provides support to our overall Operations team.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | CPCS - Forward Tipping Dumper - Wheeled | CPCS - Tracked Excavator 360 Above 10T |
CPCS - Tracked Excavator 360 Below 10T | CPCS Card - Blue 00360054 | Emergency First Aid at Work |
NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A, PA6AW | PCA Qualified Technician in Japanese Knotweed | Safety Critical Worker - Medical |
Water Safety & Rescue |
Hasan Erdinc
×Hasan is one of our longest-serving members of staff with a wealth of knowledge and experience in knotweed surveying and treatment services.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | CAT & GENNY - Location & Avoidance of Underground Apparatus | CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test |
Emergency First Aid at Work | Harnesses & Working at Heights | LANTRA Brushcutter |
Manual Handling | NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A, PA6AW | ROLO - Health, Safety & Environment Awareness |
Company Driver - Safety Awareness | CSCS Card | Lone Working Safety Awareness |
Working at Height Awareness |
John Butcher CSJK
×With over 35 years experience in the horticultural industry, including working as a landscaper, herbicide application technician, foreman and contract manager, John joined Japanese Knotweed Ltd in 2002 with extensive invasive weed, horticultural and commercial knowledge. He has been Site Supervisor and Lead Foreman with us for 9 years and Knotweed Surveyor for 7 years.
John conducts commercial knotweed site surveys throughout the whole of the UK. He's often one of the key contacts for our commercial excavation clients as his experience allows him to advise on many different aspects of knotweed remediation.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed (CSJK) | CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test | Company Driver - Safety Awareness |
Harnesses & Working at Heights | Invasive Plant Identification Course | LANTRA Brushcutter |
PCA Qualified Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed | SSSTS - Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme | ROLO - Health, Safety & Environment Awareness |
Emergency First Aid at Work | CSCS Card | Lone Working Safety Awareness |
NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A, PA6AW | Working at Height Awareness | Asbestos Awareness |
John Clapham CSJK
×John joined us in April 2021. He’s a certificated Surveyor in Japanese knotweed (CSJK) offering commercial and residential clients Japanese knotweed solutions and peace of mind.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed (CSJK) | CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test | Company Driver - Safety Awareness |
Harnesses & Working at Heights | Invasive Plant Identification Course | LANTRA Brushcutter |
PCA Qualified Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed | SSSTS - Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme | ROLO - Health, Safety & Environment Awareness |
Emergency First Aid at Work | CSCS Card | Lone Working Safety Awareness |
NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A, PA6AW | Working at Height Awareness | Asbestos Awareness |
Kaye Lucas CSJK
×Kaye joined Japanese Knotweed Ltd in June 2017 having worked in invasive weed eradication for several years. She's worked in horticulture and arboriculture from the age of 15 and started working as a Japanese knotweed technician in 2015. Initially, she conducted herbicide treatment visits and moved into supervised surveying in early 2015. She gained the CSJK qualification in 2021.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed (CSJK) | Chainsaw Operator Licence | CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test |
Harnesses & Working at Heights | IOSH Working Safely | Lone Working Safety Awareness |
PCA Qualified Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed | PCA Qualified Technician in Japanese Knotweed | SSSTS - Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme |
CSCS Card | Emergency First Aid at Work | ROLO - Health, Safety & Environment Awareness |
Manual Handling | NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A, PA6AW, PA6INJ | Working at Height Awareness |
Asbestos Awareness |
Kieran Hampton
×Based in Andover, Kieran supervises excavations in the south of the UK. He was promoted to this position in February 2022 which was a culmination of his development, combined with his hard work, dedication and commitment to Japanese Knotweed Ltd.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | Banksman and Signaller | CAT & GENNY - Location & Avoidance of Underground Apparatus |
CPCS - Forward Tipping Dumper - Wheeled | CPCS Card - Red | CSCS Card |
Manual Handling | NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A, PA6AW, PA6INJ | ROLO - Health, Safety & Environment Awareness |
CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test | Company Driver - Safety Awareness | Emergency First Aid at Work |
Lone Working Safety Awareness | Working at Height Awareness |
Mike Godfrey
×Mike is responsible for Japanese Knotweed Eradication and Excavation contracts in the South of England including the counties of Bristol, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey.
His work takes in many key cities and towns such as Bristol, Gloucester, Swindon, Warminster, Salisbury, Winchester, Southampton, Basingstoke and Newbury.
Mike has been employed by Japanese Knotweed Ltd since the formation of the company and has over 15 years of experience in eradicating and treating Japanese Knotweed. He is extremely skilled with using large excavators to extract/remove the roots and rhizomes of knotweed from the contaminated soil. His wealth of knowledge and experience enables him to work on commercial and residential sites.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | Banksman and Signaller | CAT & GENNY - Location & Avoidance of Underground Apparatus |
CPCS - Forward Tipping Dumper - Wheeled | CPCS - Telehandler | CPCS - Tracked Excavator 360 Above/ Below 10T |
Emergency First Aid at Work | Fundamental Supervisor Skills | LANTRA Brushcutter |
NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA2A, PA6A, PA6AW | ROLO - Health, Safety & Environment Awareness | SSSTS - Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme |
CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test | Company Driver - Safety Awareness | Lone Working Safety Awareness |
CPCS Card - Blue | CSCS Card | Manual Handling |
Working at Height Awareness |
Paul Ceconi
×Paul joined Japanese Knotweed Ltd in August 2017. He has over seven years experience of managing non-native invasive species as part of habitat management projects, for both the public and private sector.
As an area technician his main responsibility is carrying out herbicide treatments.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | Company Driver - Safety Awareness | CSCS Card |
Lone Working Safety Awareness | Manual Handling | NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA2A, PA6A, PA6AW, PA6MC |
ROLO - Health, Safety & Environment Awareness | Stem Injection Treatment | Tram Safety Awareness (Pink Badge) |
Emergency First Aid at Work | Harnesses & Working at Heights | PCA Qualified Technician in Japanese Knotweed |
Working at Height Awareness |
Phil Hodgson
×Phil joined Japanese Knotweed Ltd in May 2017 and has over two years' experience excavating and spraying Japanese knotweed amongst other invasive weeds. Previously, he served in the Corps of Royal Engineers in the British Army for eight years. He was deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia, specialising in bomb disposal.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Abrasive Wheel Safety | Asbestos Awareness | Banksman and Signaller |
Company Driver - Safety Awareness | CPCS - Tracked Excavator 360 Above 10T | CPCS - Tracked Excavator 360 Below 10T |
Emergency First Aid at Work | Fundamental Supervisor Skills | Lone Working Safety Awareness |
NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A, PA6AW | PCA Qualified Technician in Japanese Knotweed | ROLO - Health, Safety & Environment Awareness |
CAT & GENNY - Location & Avoidance of Underground Apparatus | CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test | Manual Handling |
CPCS Card - Red | CSCS Card | Noise Awareness |
SSSTS - Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme | Working at Height Awareness |
Richard Sapsford CSJK
×Richard is an experienced fully qualified CSJK invasive weed surveyor. Based in Middlesex he works in the Surveying and Herbicide Sales team, focusing on London and the South East..
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | NPTC 627095 | NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1 |
NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA6A | NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA6AW | Lone Working Safety Awareness |
PCA Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed |
Rob Lindley
×Rob is responsible for Japanese Knotweed Surveys in the East of England including the counties of Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Humberside and Nottinghamshire. Rob’s work takes in many key cities and towns such as Grantham, Grimsby, Hull, Scunthorpe, Doncaster, Sheffield, Lincoln, Boston, Huntingdon, Wisbech, King’s Lynn, Thetford, Ipswich, Nottingham and Worksop.
Rob has many years experience in detailed, large scale land surveying and was Chief Surveyor for Ordnance Survey where he developed digital products such as "In-car navigation" (now called Sat Nav) and carried on to become the North Region Survey Manager responsible for the area from the Scottish border down to Peterborough. Rob’s knowledge and experience of surveying coupled with his passion and hobby as a keen gardener ensures the quality and detail of his Japanese knotweed surveys and reports are consistently high, comprehensive. Rob is a PCA (Property Care Association) Qualified Technician in Japanese Knotweed.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test | Company Driver - Safety Awareness |
Emergency First Aid at Work | LANTRA Brushcutter | Lone Working Safety Awareness |
PCA Qualified Technician in Japanese Knotweed | ROLO - Health, Safety & Environment Awareness | Working at Height Awareness |
CSCS Card | NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A, PA6AW |
Tom Humphreys
×Tom recently joined the company having spent a year travelling the world; a trip taking him through Southern Africa, Asia and North America.
Originally from East Yorkshire, Tom attended the University of Portsmouth graduating in 2011 with a degree in Marine Environmental Science. He first worked within the marine research sector before taking a role carrying out subsea surveys on the Humber Estuary, a job which saw him involved with the BBC on both national television and radio.
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test | Company Driver - Safety Awareness |
IOSH Managing Safely | Emergency First Aid at Work | Fire Risk Assessment |
CSCS Card | CAT & GENNY - Location & Avoidance of Underground Apparatus | Working at Height Awareness |
Tom Whitefield
×Tom joined Japanese Knotweed Ltd in 2015 and has twenty years experience working in commercial horticulture. He is based in South East London and is responsible for Japanese knotweed herbicide treatment services.
He also undertakes trial digs, site supervision and assists with excavation contracts when needed. His work takes him all over Greater London and the South East, to both commercial sites and residential property. Tom has a BSc (Hons) in Horticulture and is also a PCA Certificated Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed (CSJK).
Areas Covered

Qualifications
Asbestos Awareness | CAT & GENNY - Location & Avoidance of Underground Apparatus | Company Driver - Safety Awareness |
LANTRA Brushcutter | Lone Working Safety Awareness | NPTC City & Guilds Pesticide Application PA1, PA6A, PA6AW |
SSSTS - Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme | Tram Safety Awareness (Pink Badge) | Tramlink - Medical |
CITB Health, Safety & Environment Test | CSCS Card | Harnesses & Working at Heights |
PCA Qualified Surveyor in Japanese Knotweed | PCA Qualified Technician in Japanese Knotweed | ROLO - Health, Safety & Environment Awareness |
Tramlink Possession Supervisor (TPS) | Tramlink Worksite Supervisor (TWS) | Working at Height Awareness |