Learn More About Our Team – Craig Kendall

Name and role.

Craig Kendall, Arborist/Business Development Manager.

Previous employments/ cap badge, if applicable

12.5 years in the military – Royal Signals.

How did you end up in tree work (wrong career turn or destiny)?

After the military, I spent about a year in the corporate world as a regional account manager for a communications company. It quickly became apparent that sitting behind the same desk day in and day out was not ticking the right boxes.

I decided to use my learning credits and resettlement allowance to qualify in something completely out of the norm for me. I rediscovered a passion for the outdoors, and I get to play with some pretty big machinery on the bigger jobs.

First day on the job – confidence or instant regret?

Confident. My favourite part is wearing all the PPE during a record-breaking heatwave.

Favourite tree to work on?

Big trees in general.

Worst tree to work on?

N/A.

Biggest tree you’ve taken on.

Douglas Fir.

Climbing, MEWP, or ground work?

MEWP and ground work for now. Currently working towards the climbing qualifications.

Preferred weapon: stump grinder, axe, back or top handle?

Husqvarna 550 XP Mark II.

Funniest moment on site so far?

The constant craic.

Worst job you’ve survived?

Any job that started with ‘Right lads, this’ll only take five minutes.’

Weirdest thing you’ve found in a garden or tree?

Bags of dog poo!

One thing people always get wrong about tree surgeons?

That the lowest price is the best price.

It’s the cheapest price for a plethora of unseen reasons. Oftentimes to the detriment of the customer, not their benefit.

Your secret skill on the team?

I can hear a kettle brewing through a wall up to 150m away.

Tea or coffee – and how many a day?

Tea, intravenously if possible.

Best thing about working at Frodsham Tree Solutions?

For me, there are two things. The workplace culture and the teams’ professionalism.

With the majority of the FTS workforce being veterans and/or ex-police, there is a shared culture between those professions that translates well in terms of work ethic, attitude and competence. Those attributes are also shared by those without a background in public services. However, if someone called ‘Naked Bar’ at a work social event, I imagine there may be some confusion and apprehension about participating from those who aren’t!

Describe the team in three words.

Proactive, professional, and safe.

If you were a tree, what would you be?

An English Oak.

Ambition: where do you see yourself in 5 years?

At Frodsham Tree Solutions Ltd, with a bigger workforce, more vehicles on the road and a larger client base. Personally, I’d like to develop into a senior role, continuing to drive growth through business development, veteran/blue light recruitment and training, while retaining the practical experience that keeps me connected to the work we actually provide for the customer.

Any top tips?

Jump in at the deep end.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

I Love Crocs.