Robin Gray, Landscape & Woodland Design Advisor, Forestry Commission



Robin Gray and Richard Hellier are Landscape & Woodland Design Advisors. Chartered Landscape Architects working within the Policty Advice Team. Together they have 50 years of experience of woodland creation and ecological restoartion spanning the Environement Agency, AONBs, Landscape Partnerships and now both with the Forestry Commission. Anna Gugan is alandscape architect with a background in horticulture and GIS. Anna worked on the landscape charcater appraisal on behalf of the University of Leeds/ United Bank of Carbon. Anna now works for White Rose Forest Partnership/ Leeds City Council.

Richard Hellier CMLI, Landscape and Woodland Design Advisor, Forestry Commission



Richard has over 30 years’ experience as a chartered landscape architect working in private practice, local government and the Environment Agency. For the last 10 years he has been the Forestry Commission England’s Landscape and Woodland Design Advisor, now joined by Robin Gray. 

During his career, Richard has produced much innovative work from large scale environmental visions through to significant habitat creation and open space design. He effectively combines an acute awareness of local distinctiveness with ecological expertise and high-quality graphics to effectively communicate and develop resilient, multi-functional and inspiring places. This has been recognised in many awards including two from the Landscape Institute for ‘Added Value through Landscape’. 

Using this broad experience Richard works with Robin to provide effective landscape and woodland design guidance to build capacity across all sectors involved in England Tree Planting Strategy from foresters, land agents to the landscape profession.   

Anna Gugan, Woodland Creation Officer, Leeds City Council



Anna has an MA in landscape architecture with a background in horticulture and Geographic Information Systems. She has worked in the field of landscape design for 20 years.

Anna has an MSc in GIS and vast professional experience working in data mapping. Her current role is in woodland design and creation within the Leeds City Council district, including regulatory compliance.

Anna has previously worked for the University of Leeds as part of the UBoC charity, designing a woodland creation project on a 25 hectare site.

With a passion for the natural world, Anna is an experienced and hands-on garden designer. Projects include part of a team creating a stand for Chelsea Flower Show and the creation of planting schemes for the restoration of a Victorian Park in the North East of England.