About Us
Josephine Hedger and John Trenchard set up Arbor Venture Training in 2005. Both are well known in the tree climbing world for their involvement in worldwide tree climbing competitions. Josephine Hedger also runs a successful tree care business, and is therefore dedicated to providing the industry with highly skilled and enthusiastic arborists.
Josephine Hedger
Lantra instructor and assessor / City & Guilds Assessor
Josephine gained a National Certificate in arboriculture at Sparsholt College in 2002, and went on to set up Arbor Venture Training in 2005.
She’s a well-known face in the industry, having won multiple World and European Tree Climbing Championships.
Jo has held a World Record in Footlocking and currently climbs in the ISA Tree Climbing Championships. She represents the UK chapter in the European Championships and has travelled to many competitions in Europe, America and Australia.
Jo is a Teufelberger and Husqvarna H Team Ambassador.
Outside of work Josephine enjoys cycling, rock climbing and drumming.
John Trenchard
Lantra instructor, assessor & Verifier / City & Guilds Instructor & Assessor
John has over 25 years’ experience in the tree care industry and is passionate about providing high-quality, up-to-date training for tree care workers.
John is a training standards verifier for Lantra Awards, being involved in standard setting, updating lantra instructors throughout the country and writing training material for training providers.
His training career started in colleges in 1995, where he worked his way through the ranks starting as a technician, then as an Instructor and finally lecturing at Bicton College. John is our main Instructor. As an Assessor and a Verifer for Lantra Instructors you can be assured of the highest standards.
John also enjoys competing in ISA Tree Climbing Championships, and has been a head judge at UK Chapter Competitions.
Outside of work John enjoys Clay Shooting.
Daniel Lambert
Lantra instructor
Dan has been running his own landscape and tree care company for 10 years.
He started delivering Lantra training courses for Arbor Venture Training in 2017.
Outside of work Dan spends time with his family, running and cycling.
Mark Dearlove
Instructor
Mark started working at Arbor Venture in 2009. He previously managed a transport company for many years, and has been an HGV driver for 18 years.
Mark does some instructing along side working as a senior member of the tree care company, bringing his experience and current industry knowledge to the class room.
Outside of work Mark enjoys Clay Shooting and Sea Fishing.
Zoe Fulford
Office ManagerZoe joined the Arbor Venture team in November 2015.
Zoe is based in the office and is the friendly voice of Arbor Venture Training and Tree Care. Zoe ensures excellent customer service for all our customers.
In her spare time Zoe trains and competes her horses and enjoys eating out with friends as often as possible.