Contact Us
MEET THE TEAM
Dan Parsons
Chairman
About Dan
With a background in finance Dan has set up several new companies and, with his depth of experience and knowledge, has guided and transformed businesses to evolve and prosper. Winchester based, Dan, has a life-long passion for traditional crafts and a love of the New Forest.
Dan is looking forward to identifying opportunities for further growth and sustainability while embracing the core integrity of the membership criteria and key categories within the Forest landscape.
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.
Debbie Copping
Administrator
About Claire
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.
Gary Baldwin
Director
About Gary
Gary has lived in Hampshire all his life and life-long visitor of the Forest. Prior to joining as Managing Director of the New Forest Hotel Collection (which includes four hotels - Bartley Lodge, Beaulieu Hotel, Forest Lodge and Moorhill House – Burley Manor, a restaurant and rooms and a country pub restaurant, the Drift Inn) Garry joined from the role of Senior Hotel Inspector at AA Hotel Services with over 10 years’ experience with the quality organisation– including personally creating and developing the AA College Rosette Scheme – one of the highest accreditations in partnership with people 1st for college restaurants in the hospitality industry. Previous operational experience includes a diverse selection of 5-star British names including, Cunard, Bovey Castle Hotel in Devon and Pennyhill Park in Surrey. With a love for the forest and championing local producers with a quality stance, Garry is delighted to be working with a team of focussed and driven directors to make the very best of our local area and promote what is great about the National Park
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.
Paul Walton
Director
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.
Andrew Parry-Norton
Director
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 Sue
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.