Responsibilities
David is responsible for the overall strategic direction of S&C Slatter and White Horse Contractors. By working closely with every member of the team he is able to ensure that works are delivered in an efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly manner and that we act with the integrity that we pride ourselves on.
Background
Having worked in the family business since 2003 David has worked in all areas giving him an ‘all-round’ understanding of the company’s operation.
Personal
As a father of a young family, David spends a good deal of his time with his three sons.
Responsibilities
Identifying and developing The Slatter Group strategy, marketing activity, and establishing new and nurturing existing client relationships.
Background
Jason joined S&C Slatter in 2010 and has operated in the specialist external sports facility construction industry since 1997. Jason has extensive knowledge and understanding of the sectors in which The Slatter Group operates, working with clients to develop effective design and build solutions. With a keen focus on the latest industry innovations, product development and environmental systems, Jason works daily with a broad range of clients to determine best value facility solutions.
Personal
As a keen sportsman with (very) modest talent, Jason plays tennis and watches rugby whenever he can.
Responsibilities
Suzanne is responsible for managing Finance and HR Functions across The Slatter Group, including S&C Slatter and White Horse Contractors. Her friendly, ‘keep going’ personality and effective communication skills at all levels is a valuable asset within all aspects of the business. Working day life is extremely varied supporting her dedicated teams.
Background
Suzanne joined The Slatter Group in 2019 after predominately working as a Financial Controller within the IT Industry for many years. Since achieving Finance and Business qualifications many years ago, she has gained invaluable experience & skills and often rewarded by promotion throughout her career for her efforts.
Personal
In Suzanne’s social life, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and has a passion for travelling and Football. Many weekends/evenings involve supporting her son playing Football and singing along on her home Karaoke machine.
Responsibilities
David is responsible for the successful running of White Horse Contractors. Overseeing all aspects of the business, David can often be found anywhere between the estimating or accounts office, in the workshop, or on-site with the project teams.
This variety of specialisms has enabled him to head up the White Horse Contractors team with a passion for problem-solving and a strong work ethic. He can regularly be seen ‘leading from the front’ by jumping on an excavator or tractor given half a chance and a sunny afternoon.
David is keen to ensure that WHC is at the forefront of technology and is a keen adopter of GPS technology on the company’s wide range of specialist plant.
Background
With an extensive background in water and soil engineering and over 17 years of experience working for the UK’s leading water engineering and sports construction companies, his love of the industry is clear in his work. Joining The Slatter Group in 2010, David has led many flagship projects, culminating in the successful delivery of numerous multimillion-pound sports hub projects.
Following the acquisition of White Horse Contractors in 2019, David moved across to head up the new addition to The Slatter Group portfolio which continues to see the company on an inclined of planned growth.
Personal
David was a keen rugby player and now enjoys watching and coaching his son at Newbury RFC. You would be hard-pressed to know whether he is happier on the shooting field or up a mountain attached to a snowboard (or possibly in the après bar afterwards). He enjoys playing cricket, fishing, watching his daughter learn to horse ride as well as being a “keen foodie “.
Responsibilities
James is principally responsible for developing and maintaining the Company’s commercial and technical capability for construction and remediation projects in the sports turf, amenity grassland, and agriculture sectors. This includes all aspects of earthworks, pitch construction, and drainage design.
James also provides support to the contracts management team to help resolve any technical difficulties should they arise during the construction phase and to ensure the completed projects are completed to the high standards that we demand. Read James' Q&A here.
Background
With an active interest in applied biology, James completed a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Agricultural Botany at the University of Reading. Following an early career in agricultural research where he was involved in projects in both organic and integrated farming systems, James joined TurfTrax Ground Management Systems Ltd (now TGMS Ltd) to work with his former colleagues from Cranfield University at Silsoe in this newly formed sports turf consultancy practice.
During the next decade time, James was involved with numerous projects, notable mentions include Wembley National Stadium, Chelsea Football Club, and a variety of county cricket grounds (Edgbaston, The Swalec Stadium, and Nevil Road). With an interest in the practical side of construction, James moved to White Horse Contractors in 2012, initially to assist with D&B projects and then to become a Director in 2015.
Personal
James is a keen road cyclist (living in Bedfordshire, mountain biking was never an option!) and enjoys watching his daughters compete at Gymnastics at various competitions around the country.
Responsibilities
Clare manages the office at White Horse Contractors, covering human resources and HSEQ+T across the business. Ensuring consistent, company-wide compliance to internal and external standards, she manages budgets for these departments and works directly with and in support of our Contract Managers and our Managing Director. Clare is the first point of contact when clients, customers, or suppliers contact the office.
Background
Clare joined the team in 2014 as an administrative assistant, after successful development within the business she worked her way up to the Office Manager’s role; evidence of her extensive knowledge in all aspects of the company working alongside David and the team to ensure everyday life is running smoothly.
Personal
Clare enjoys spending time socialising with friends and family, going out for dinner, playing board games, and watching rugby whenever it’s on.
Responsibilities
Day-to-day organising of materials, labour, and setting up site prior to launch is an integral part of Colin’s planning in the early stages of every project but liaising with clients he believes is key. The bespoke nature of the business creates a challenge in itself, Colin’s experience and passion for the job informs and guides him on a daily basis. Managing contracts and projects to an optimum standard is guaranteed by creating trust with clients, something that Colin believes to be integral in his work. Read Colin's Q&A here.
Background
Colin’s professional interest in the industry began in the early 1990s in the golfing industry. Working on some of the biggest projects across Europe for 8 years including St Andrews, Kingsbarns, Vilamoura (1&5), Woburn, and Aphrodite Hill. His love of golf subsequently sparked further interest in the sports industry, two years at the Cannington course involved obtaining his ND in Sports Turf Management. Further to this: a degree in Sports Turf Management and the rest is history. Colin has spent 14 years in his role at White Horse Contractors and relishes the fact that “not one job is the same as the next”.
Personal
Colin enjoys spending weekends (and some midweeks!) travelling to watch Glasgow Rangers games, other pleasures include golfing, gardening, fly fishing, and a glass of wine.
Responsibilities
Jake supports the business in all marketing functions, ultimately he is responsible for creating awareness of the White Horse Contractors brand and relevant campaigns. He analyses company data and metrics to identify potential new business, whilst informing the industry of existing projects with creative content.
Background
Jake has a degree in Media, Communications & Culture obtained at the University of Roehampton in 2018. He has experience working in a variety of industries before joining White Horse Contractors in 2021, working with companies and peers across Europe.
Personal
With a passion for football, Jake holds a season ticket at Southampton FC. When not in the stands, he’s in the seat at the big screen! Jake holds memberships for his local film club and two of the UK’s larger cinema chains.
Responsibilities
As a Contract Manager, Juan enjoys the great mix of work that every working day brings at White Horse Contractors, a lover of the great outdoors, he is responsible for the design, documentation, and development at the very beginning of some of the projects he goes on to lead or distribute to relevant contract managers, meaning an in-depth knowledge from the early stages of most of the projects through the door, he then will supervise works on site effectively; developing the best service with the information he has.
Background
Juan moved to the UK 7 years ago, with experience in housing construction and design, Juan learned a new language and a new industry quickly, his hunger for progression is evident in his work here. He has a master’s degree in Project Management obtained in Spain and enjoys the variation of work between CAD design and contract management at the company.
Personal
A football fanatic, an injury halted his playing days, he now coaches an under 10 youth side for Oxford City FC which also involves a Sports Coaching course which he enjoys, although he hasn’t yet been to watch a match in the UK.
Responsibilities
With a keen eye for detail, Kevin’s passion lies within the golfing service offering of the business. Whilst he lends a hand in any jobs required, golf courses are where he spends most of his working day. His industry knowledge and experience are a huge benefit to the team when other members need to lean on him.
Background
Kevin joined the company in 1984, meaning he is one of White Horse Contractors' longest-serving employees.
Personal
During downtime, Kevin enjoys playing squash and plenty of walks along local trails.
Responsibilities
Linda's responsibilities include maintaining purchase ledgers, matching, checking, coding, and data entry of invoices. Setting up new supplier accounts, reconciliation of supplier statements, processing staff expenses.
Background
New to the team in late 2020, Linda has previously worked in finance in many different industries including fashion and interior design. She has also worked in the events industry.
Personal
Linda loves a new project and alongside her work is currently studying a Bsc in Nutritional Therapy. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, renovating houses, reading, and experimenting with vegan cookery.
Responsibilities
As White Horse Contractors Accounts Manager, Megan oversees the accounts department within the business.
Background
Megan completed her Association of Accounting Technicians qualification in 2007, obtained at Abingdon College, she has been part of the accounts team for the past 12 years.
Personal
Two children take up the majority of Megan’s time, any spare time is spent socialising with family and friends, and when she can, Megan finds the time to read a crime thriller or a biography.
Responsibilities
Mick oversees procurement and allocation of suitable plant and equipment, for all site staff. He distributes all materials with Contracts Managers efficiently and ensures the transport of plant and machinery to and from WHC sites. Mick’s vast knowledge of the industry helps to keep the company working as efficiently as possible on this side of the business, with no stone left unturned.
Background
Mick joined White Horse Contractors straight from school in August of 1991 as an apprentice within the workshop. Progression through the ranks has led him to management, but he will always confess he still loves to get his hands dirty on the tools when he can. Mick is known for his vast knowledge of machinery and the construction industry itself. An experienced head on his shoulders, Mick still enjoys new innovations, his ability to consistently modify and fabricate new machinery for the sports turf maintenance and drainage industry over the years is part of the reason he enjoys his role so much.
Personal
Mick can be found in the dugout of the sports pitches he helps to create. He is heavily involved in grassroots football and is an FA-qualified coach. He runs a local Saturday side; Letcombe FC Reserves in the North Berks League. Most weekends consist of watching and coaching both of his two sons, who play men’s and youth football respectively.
Responsibilities
Nathan heads up our specialist Water Engineering division, his responsibilities include meeting with clients and understanding their bespoke requirements, this includes creating solutions for the construction of projects to keep within time and financial limits to the highest standard.
Background
Before joining the team, Nathan had been involved in a wide range of projects within the water and environmental industry. Nathan made the step into his role here in 2014, after gaining not only the specialist experience on the job, he was also awarded a BSc in Aquaculture and Fishery Management from Sparsholt College in Winchester.
Personal
If you can’t find Nathan outside walking his dogs or on country pursuits, you’ll find him on (or working on) his motorcycles.
Responsibilities
Ollee is responsible for creating cost proposals ranging from £10k to £1m+ in value, proposing specifications, preparing tender documents, and working closely with our in-house CAD team to design proposals for clients. Ollee is also responsible for liaising with clients and on-site foremen concerning the day-to-day running of smaller projects such as landscaping, natural sports, and equestrian projects. Other duties he undertakes are ordering materials and fuel to site, undertaking site investigations, and the transportation of small plant, equipment, and materials to and from site.
Background
Ollee has been around the White Horse Contractors office and sites, from a young age. He started his career at White Horse Contractors as a trainee plant fitter alongside obtaining a national diploma in agriculture at Hartpury College. Further to this, Ollee continued his studies, gaining a Technical and Professional Diploma in Turf Surface Management. He then advanced on to a variety of different job roles such as Labourer, Management Trainee, Contract Manager, and Estimator within the business.
Personal
Outside of work, Ollee has a wide range of interests, including spending time with family, shooting, extreme sports, golf, and walking my sprocker spaniel, Bella (who accompanies Ollee to the office from time to time).
Responsibilities
Sarah assists our Accounts Manager with the day-to-day number crunching, including weekly payroll and sales ledger.
Background
Before joining the White Horse Contractors Accounts team Sarah worked within the horse racing industry at a local yard, she worked as an Accounts and Office Assistant similar to her role here that began in the summer of 2019. Alongside her work, Sarah is studying for her AAT Accountants qualification.
Personal
Home life is also busy for Sarah; she has four children all in local schools. Sarah enjoys running, shopping but mostly going on family walks with their cockapoo Jessie.
Responsibilities
Tom has overseen and lead various contracts across the business, predominantly agricultural and sports projects. Due to the diverse nature of the business, Tom has also delivered water engineering, polo, civil engineering, and golf projects. He enjoys the variety of work that comes with being a contracts manager, from guiding staff and allocating them to projects, as well as monitoring existing and new programs.
Background
A member of the White Horse Contractors team for 14 years after graduating from Hartpury (Bristol UWE) with a degree in Agriculture and Conservation, Tom has a keen interest in the industry, especially fine turf sports surfaces and spent time straight out of his time in education as a greenkeeper at a local golf course, whilst obtaining National Diploma in Sports Turf & Greenkeeping.
Personal
Tom loves spending time with his young family. In addition to this: a keen sportsman, he enjoys country sports, skiing, spending time at the gym, and watching his beloved Bath play rugby when possible.
Responsibilities
Zach provides administrative support to the Contract Managers, including obtaining prices for materials, as well as preparing purchase orders. His role also includes supporting the Contract Managers in setting up projects online. Zach helps to ensure our Contract Managers are working as efficiently as possible.
Background
Before joining White Horse Contractors, Zach obtained a 2:1 degree in Criminology at Oxford Brookes University. Following 3 years in Oxford, he moved to Thatcham, a stone's throw from the WHC office ready to start his career in the construction industry. Gaining key skills such as timekeeping, organisation, IT skills and public speaking. These skills have helped Zach within his role here already, being in close contact with suppliers and Contract Manager's every day.
Personal
If he's not at his desk, Zach enjoys clay pigeon shooting, winter sports, fixing his cars and watching F1. He also enjoys long walks in the countryside with his Jackapoo Pepper.
