Ian Grafton

I lead the House and Garden teams across the Herefordshire Portfolio and am experienced in juggling the demands of geographically widely spread teams.

I lead a culture of exceptional service and inclusivity to ensure a high quality visitor experience across the whole visitor journey including evaluating visitor comments and feedback.

I recruit, support and develop my teams to be the best version of themselves with clear objective setting, coaching and giving regular feedback and reviews.

I work across the portfolio with other departments (F&B, Rangers, Facilities) to ensure joined up supportive working

I liaise with regional and National consultants to ensure compliance with NT procedures and to share best practice.

I lead on access issues in the Houses and Gardens both in terms of physical access and with diversity and inclusivity to the fore.

I participate and support in Visitor Journey audits at each property to ensure high levels of presentation.

All my career I have worked weekends, Bank Holidays and school holidays.

I work alongside the Senior Leadership Team and General Manager to create and implement the long term vision and business plan for the properties.

I manage compliance in the Gardens and Mansions (Risk Assessments, Fire Risk, Lone working, visitor and staff safety etc) with a Life and Limb compliance rating of 100% and a rating of 80% completion of all other compliance tasks.

I am responsible and accountable for all KPI's (Key Performance Indicators) operational and strategic including income and expenditure

I work with colleagues to ensure that programming, exhibitions and displays are of the highest standard

I am responsible for writing, updating and implementing the property Emergency Plans

I lead the carbon reduction initiatives in the Gardens and Houses with a target of a reduction of 5% per calendar year

I am the Safeguarding Lead for Herefordshire and I am also a trained Mental Health 1st Aider.

I support partnership working with external bodies and stakeholders

I support my line reports to recruit, manage and develop volunteers

I respond to and feed into our Incident Reporting system

I work closely with our Facilities Manager to report and resolve any issues with our built estate.

I have acted as both Client, Project Manager and Project team member for diverse projects such as Stone work repairs at Berrington and Croft, installation of Biomass at Berrington and Croft, new garden at Berrington.

I monitor income and expenditure using NT financial systems identifying issues and acting upon them in a timely manner.

As previous but this role focused on Croft Castle and Cwmmau Farmhouse alone

I left as role re-structured

The same roles as my current role but based solely at Croft Castle and Cwmmau Farmhouse and responsible in addition for Visitor Reception teams and F&B.

In this role I was responsible for the operations and management of the Ranger Team and the 1700 acre estate at Croft comprising, Forestry, Wood Pasture, a significant collection of Veteran trees, wetland, tenanted agricultural let and meadows

1 year secondment as General Manger at Belton House leading a multi-disciplinary team that runs the busiest National Trust property in England.

Notable challenges included objecting to planned carpark move to wood pasture site and extending the play area, a project of just under £1 Million

Responsible for all Operations at a smaller National Trust Townhouse and Garden.

I sat on many local committees and was the representative for National Trust in the community

Responsible for all daily operations of Northamptonshire's oldest and busiest Country Park

Ensuring the safety and enjoyment of nearly half a million visitors a year

Managing the forestry team

Leading the habitat management of former Ironstone quarry with commercial forestry and writing management plans

Running the UK's oldest summer environmental playscheme, Operation Woodpecker

Leading the ranger team of staff, volunteers and student placements.

Being responsible for and accountable for all operations, budgets, Health and Safety and security for Irchester Country Park.

Organisation and running off Countryside Matters and Annual Countryside festival involving stakeholder and partners

Responsible for all the land management on the IDC's nature reserves in Jersey

Led the team of volunteers from various Universities to undertake habitat restoration work and open our visitor Centre at Kempt Tower

Led summer playscheme throughout Summer Holidays

Working alongside senior ranger to undertake all operational aspects of running a semi-urban country park including

• leading school groups
• felling
• angling Bailiff duties
• mowing
• staffing visitor reception
• habitat management
• surveying
• patrolling and security

3 years working as apprentice Gardener including 12 months glasshouse operations, mowing, path maintenance, leading the restoration of an historic walled garden and a formative 12 months with the conservation gang which led me into becoming a Countryside Ranger