Simon Grindrod
Swindon,Oxfordshire
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience in customer service and retail management. Expertise in arboriculture, including technical equipment operation and off-road driving. Proven track record in team management, enhancing staff motivation and engagement while prioritizing health and safety through effective risk evaluation. Skilled in conflict resolution and people management, consistently achieving reliable results and driving organizational success.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
LANTRA instructor
Bowline
2024.09 - Current
- Assessed individual pupil progress and adjusted lessons accordingly for better improvement.
- Maintained up-to-date subject knowledge, ensured delivery of accurate information.
- Managed student behaviour by enforcing established classroom rules, maintained discipline effectively.
- Delivered ground based training to adult learners through workshops and seminars.
Owner/Operator
Bowline
Watchfield, Oxfordshire
2017.10 - 2026.03
- Safety inspection of Arborcultural climbing and rigging equipment. applying LOLER regulations.
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth running of the business.
- Ensured compliance with regulations, maintaining a clean safety record.
- Oversaw financial management, ensuring fiscal health of the business.
Off road Driving Instructor
British Off Road Driving Association
2011.01 - 2026.03
- Responsibilities: Training novice drivers to drive off road to high safety standards. Daily vehicle checks and valeting. Ensuring that clients have a safe and inspiring day.
Arborist
Hi-Line
2016.08 - 2017.09
- Support role to team leader. driving 3.5 tonnes work platform.
- Operated heavy machinery like stump grinders and wood chippers safely whilst on the job site.
- Utility work, working for Weston Power.
Team Leader
Gristwood and Toms
2015.01 - 2016.07
- Responsibilities: Team health and safety, ensuring work is carried out to specification and on time. dealing with the public on site. emergency call out.
Forman (Ground)
RJ Tree Services
2014.01 - 2014.12
- Responsibilities: on site running of contracts, H and S, team deployment, client leaison and pricing. Also the maintenance of power tools and plant.
Floor Manager
Snow and Rock
2013.04 - 2013.12
- Responsibilities: ensuring all staff have a good product knowledge of all technical equipment. Merchandising, assisting the store senior management to achieve targets.
Ice Wall Manager
Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports
2012.10 - 2013.04
- Managing all aspects of running an indoor ice climbing wall. includes staff training, health and safety and maintain the ice.
Deputy Floor Manager
Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports
2011.09 - 2013.04
- Responsibilities: Assisting the department manager with staff management, merchandising and helping to drive sales within the department.
Driver
Russian Olympic Shooting Team
2012.07 - 2012.07
- Responsibilities: Ensuring athletes and officials arrive on time. Ensure security for medallists as they move between venues.
Offroad Driving Instructor
Landrover Experience
2011.03 - 2012.01
- Responsibilities: Training novice drivers to drive off road to high safety standards. Daily vehicle checks and valeting. Ensuring that clients have a safe and inspiring day.
Team Leader
Ashmore Trees
2010.08 - 2011.10
- Responsibilities: vehicle and plant maintenance. supervision of a small team involved in tree surgery/site clearance work.
Managing Director
Myark Tree Care
2000.01 - 2010.01
- Responsibilities: Client liaison. Contract pricing. Staff management and recruitment. Risk assessment. Use of machinery. Dealing with the public. Invoicing and fees recovery.
Bicycle Mechanic
Cycle Surgery
2002.01 - 2002.01
- Responsibilities: Maintenance, safety checks, customer service.
Skills
- Self-motivated
- Practical
- Resourceful
- Reliable
- Enthusiastic
- Customer Service
- Arboriculture
- People management
- Knowledge of technical arboriculturel equipment
- Retail management
- Conflict resolution
- Risk Evaluation/ Health & Safety
- Team management/building
- Off road driving
- Staff motivation and engagement
- Learning style adaptation
Certification
- City & Guilds in Arboriculture
- First aid F+1
- BORDA 4x4 Off-road Driving Instructor
- NPTC: chipper, mewp, felling medium tree, stump grinder, arial rescue, rigging, cross cutting, LOLER. UA1/UA2 , brushcutter ,UA5
- Ice climbing instructor (indoor)
- Land Rover Experience- Instructor
- IPAF
- Mine field awareness training
- Mountain bike mechanic
- ROLO CSCS
- Signing lighting and guarding
- Water safe
- RoSPA advanced driver
- Instructional Techniques
Interests
Construction of custom bicycles, European travel, Land-rover restoration, climbing and bouldering, ice-climbing, mountain walking
Timeline
LANTRA instructor
Bowline
2024.09 - Current
Owner/Operator
Bowline
2017.10 - 2026.03
Arborist
Hi-Line
2016.08 - 2017.09
Team Leader
Gristwood and Toms
2015.01 - 2016.07
Forman (Ground)
RJ Tree Services
2014.01 - 2014.12
Floor Manager
Snow and Rock
2013.04 - 2013.12
Ice Wall Manager
Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports
2012.10 - 2013.04
Driver
Russian Olympic Shooting Team
2012.07 - 2012.07
Deputy Floor Manager
Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports
2011.09 - 2013.04
Offroad Driving Instructor
Landrover Experience
2011.03 - 2012.01
Off road Driving Instructor
British Off Road Driving Association
2011.01 - 2026.03
Team Leader
Ashmore Trees
2010.08 - 2011.10
Bicycle Mechanic
Cycle Surgery
2002.01 - 2002.01
Managing Director
Myark Tree Care
2000.01 - 2010.01