Who we are
The people behind the work
Future Oaks is shaped by a small team rooted in farming, ecology, facilitation and care for the living world — each person carrying their own thread into the same work.
Founders & Directors
Stewardship Director
Eddie Rixon
Landowner & Farmer
A fourth-generation regenerative farmer and steward of Lopemede Farm, Eddie builds natural capital through collaboration with businesses and organisations seeking a deeper connection to nature. He leads environmental projects, site hosting, safety and on-the-day operations — setting seasonal, place-led tasks and overseeing risk and logistics so the work benefits both the farm and its habitats.
Programme Director
George Simons
Facilitator & Project Leader
A nature connection facilitator and programme lead, George
co-led Roots & Rhythms at Lopemede and is a member of the Nature Connectedness Network. He holds the end-to-end programme — designing the learning framework, leading partnerships and delivery, and tracking measurement and learning across every visit.
Finance Director
Dr Tolah Smith
Herbalist & Market Gardener
A herbalist and market gardener, Tolah runs the Lopemede Physic Garden on biodynamic and permaculture principles, with a design approach informed by sacred geometry. She leads seasonal food, medicinal plant, and garden-based learning, and curates activities based on improving biodiversity, soil health, and agroecological growing.
Conservation Director
Dr Joseph Smith
Wildlife Conservationist
A species conservationist with 20-years experience in the design and management of large-scale environmental initiatives. At Lopemede, Joseph guides nature restoration activities and represents the interests of the landscapes’ wildlife in decisions, partnerships and sponsorship opportunities.
Facilitation Team
Julian Ellerby
Programme Design
& Facilitation
A designer and facilitator specialising in life-centred design, nature connection and collective imagination, Julian co-led Roots & Rhythms and co-designs Future Oaks' programmes. He leads nature connection and imagination practices, and supports communication and storytelling.
Elena Harris
Facilitator
An experienced nature connection facilitator and Level 3 Forest School Leader, Elena trained with Wildwise, including Call of the Wild in Outdoor Leadership. She holds sensory and outdoor skills sessions, and uses singing to bring people together in community and in nature.
Susie Simons
Facilitator
A qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader since 2021, Susie blends creativity, nature and art through woodland crafts and child-led play. She supports children to grow, harvest and eat seasonal produce — building confidence, independence and a deep connection with the outdoors.
Safety and Care
Every visit is designed with care for the people who come and for the land itself — with clear risk assessments, seasonal and minimally processed food, and routes that protect habitats under restoration. We are working towards improved accessibility across the site and continue to identify where further access can be improved.
