Contact Us
MEET THE TEAM
Brice Stratford
Chairman
About Brice
Sue Cole
Director
About Sue
Sue has lived in Minstead since 1983. She started smallholding with a house cow and a couple of sheep in 1985 and once her 4 daughters were older she developed her interests into a business producing mainly hogget and mutton and a wide range of handcrafted woollen products from the beautiful grey wool her flock of Gotland sheep produces. Her flock of sheep now averages around 75 but sadly she now longer has her much loved Red Poll cattle.
As a long-standing member of the Soil Association, she strives to farm as sustainably as possible and is committed to producing and promoting local food.
Helen Spiller
Members Manager
About Helen
Helen’s previous career has been in Early Years, having been manager of a children’s day nursery in Ringwood. After 26 years in the sector, she decided it was time for a change of career and joined the New Forest Marque team in April 2023 as the Members Manager.
Andrew Parry-Norton
Vice Chair
About Andrew
Andrew was born and raised in The New Forest, attending local schools (and pubs!) during the 70s, Andrew spent some time working on farms in Scotland, Dorset and France to broaden his knowledge and experience, but always returning ‘home’ to the New Forest.
Andrew is married to Sarah and between them they have four children, Tom, William, Becky and Kirsty, together they run a traditional family commoning farm with a sprinkling of modern ideas. Andrew produces Beef, Lamb, Pork, Chicken and Duck eggs, he is passionate about creating a high quality product.
He has found that The New Forest Marque has enabled the produce to be marketed as a niche product which can command a higher price. This has allowed the farm to grow with a healthy looking future. Andrew is proud to be a commoner and the heritage that is associated with it. He believes that the ever-increasing pressures on the Forest need to be carefully managed and protected for future generations.
Andrew is a member of the National Farmers Union and the Commoners Defence Association. He is keen to see more commoners and retailers joining the Marque to benefit from its growing recognition and market
Hilary Harper
Director
About Hilary
Hilary was born and brought up in Dorset and moved to the New Forest with her family in 2006 when they bought a small farm in Plaitford.
Hilary is a practising solicitor and in her ‘spare time’ has reared belted Galloway cattle and native breed pigs. She is very keen to help others appreciate and enjoy all the Forest can offer and to establish the importance of local provenance.
Roanna Schneider
Communications
About Roanna
Roanna joined the New Forest National Park Communications Team in July 2024 and dedicates her expertise to the New Forest Marque on a part-time basis. She earned a qualification in Digital Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in 2023 while working in marketing and fundraising for a small environmental charity. Before this, Roanna enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as a veterinary nurse. She resides in Bournemouth, close to the beach, with her partner and their cat, Kimchi.
Sarah Parry-Norton
Director
About Sarah
With 37 years’ experience in education and 15 years living in the New Forest, Sarah brings a strong understanding of community engagement to her role as Director of New Forest Marque.
Sarah is committed to championing the people and businesses that make the Forest special. In her role, she supports the Marque’s mission to promote genuine local produce and services, helping consumers recognise and choose authentic New Forest products. She attends events on behalf of the Marque, builds links between producers and the public, and uses her teaching gaming and commoning background to explain why supporting local matters — for the economy, the environment, and the future of the Forest.
For Sarah, the New Forest Marque is about more than a logo. It’s about protecting livelihoods, celebrating craftsmanship, and keeping the Forest’s heritage alive for the next generation.
Andy Tait
Director
About Andy
Andy is a life long, serial entrepreneur where is roles are and have been around sales and strategic partnerships. He also helps companies start, grow, raise capital and sell.
His career spans starting a new retail business with HMV to cofounding a video games company which listed on the London Stock Exchange. This journey from private to public and lessoned learned became the foundations for his following successes.
More recently he co-created a startup accelerator investing in and mentoring founders of early stage marketing technology companies. Currently his main interests are centred around his co-owned marketing technology consultancy greyhairworks and his photography business.
Andy is a member of the New Forest Marque Inspired group where he actively engages with his photography business. He will be leading and working on a project to deliver a new e-commerce strategy for the Marque.
Jasmin Power
Inspired Manager
About Jasmin
Jasmin joined the team in January 2026 to support the Inspired category of the Marque. A crochet enthusiast and skilled amigurumi (small crochet figures) maker, Jasmin first joined the Marque as an Inspired member back in spring 2024. She felt especially welcomed by the warm community feel of the group, and the support it gave her with her small crochet business ‘Jasmin Makes Stuff’.
When not crocheting Jasmin works as a qualified Dispensing Optician and is also a lecturer and coach in the optics industry. Outside of work she shares her home in the New Forest with her husband and three rescue dogs. She also volunteers at a local greyhound rescue.
Claire Hoole
Director
About Claire
Claire moved to the New Forest in 2005 and lives in Portmore with her husband, Alex, and their three children.
She runs an insurance brokerage, Circle Insurance, which became an associate member of the Marque in 2023.
Claire joined the Board of Directors in 2024.
Outside of work, you’ll usually find her walking the dogs or riding her New Forest pony, ‘Paddington’.
Paul Walton
Head of Environment and Rural Economy, New Forest National Park Authority
About Paul
Paul’s role is to lead the National Park Authority’s work in conserving the landscapes and habitats of the National Park and foster a healthy local economy that can sustain the Park’s special qualities.
Paul has considerable experience of working in protected landscapes. He has come to the New Forest having previously worked in Cornwall, as a General Manager for the National Trust for five years and prior to that as the first Partnership manager of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. He also worked as an Area Manager for the Sussex Downs Conservation Board prior to the creation of the South Downs National Park.
In 2011 Paul completed a Masters degree in Town and Country Planning.
Debbie Copping
Administrator
About Debbie
Debbie has been providing administrative support to the New Forest Marque since 2006.
Keeping member records, financial accounts, updating the website and assisting with social media are some of the ways she helps.
Debbie is based in the office part-time at New Forest Park Authority, at the Town Hall in Lymington.