Nicholsons strengthens forestry expertise by partnering with Charlton Abbotts Forestry

This strategic growth strengthens Nicholsons forestry and arboricultural services across an expanded geography, which will now cover Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and surrounding counties.

Nicholsons and Charlton Abbotts Forestry share a strong foundation of aligned values, built on a commitment to quality, environmental management, sustainable land practices and family-driven principles. Both companies have grown with a dedication to community, sustainable practices and an appreciation for the natural landscape, creating a synergy that makes this partnership a natural fit. The shared vision and values of Nicholsons and Charlton Abbotts Forestry will empower both teams to offer enhanced services, underpinned by a culture of respect, reliability and a deep-rooted sense of responsibility to their clients. Together, they look forward to nurturing these family values while providing an exceptional service across a wider region.

Founded on these shared principles, this partnership comes at an opportune moment as Charlton Abbotts founders, Will and Sue Wilkinson, would like to have robust succession, passing their forestry company into the safe hands of Nicholsons. With an aligned commitment to sustainable practices and forestry excellence, Will and Sue actively sought Nicholsons as the ideal custodian for their business, confident in Nicholsons’ dedication to the long-term health and success of woodland environments.

Nicholsons and Charlton Abbotts forestry departments have a shared vision: enhancing biodiversity, promoting Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) over conventional plantation approaches and prioritising clients’ best interests over resource extraction. This merger will bolster Nicholsons ability to serve landowners and estate managers, supporting them with innovative forest management strategies, including a focus on biodiversity and natural capital markets.

This partnership brings a wealth of experience to the newly merged forestry team, with Charlton Abbotts bringing over 110 years of combined expertise in the forestry and arboricultural industry.

Niel Nicholson, founding director of the Forest Canopy Foundation (FCF), is thrilled to welcome the Charlton Abbotts Forestry team. “We’re honoured to bring Charlton Abbotts into the Nicholsons family,” said Niel. “Their deep expertise and focus on client-centred forest management aligns perfectly with our mission.”

Will and Sue comment “As a small company with an ever-increasing administrative burden, linking in with a larger company like Nicholsons, with similar values to ours, is the way forward.  Primarily, this move will enable us to ensure that the woodland management service we provide to our clients, is future proofed. Although Will is not aiming to retire at this young age (61!), it will mean that we can both, in the longer course of time, progressively step back. We are keen that our employees and the specialist contractors we work with, can continue to work with us on the estates they have been involved with. The arrangement with Nicholsons fully enables this”.

Justin Mumford, Director of Forestry, Arboriculture & Ecology adds, “The integration of Charlton Abbotts into Nicholsons forestry and arboriculture will allow the combined team to deliver seamless, bigger, better, together services, combining advanced woodland management techniques and environmentally conscious strategies. With this, Nicholsons takes a meaningful step towards enhancing the future of forestry across the region, safeguarding and nurturing woodlands with expertise, care and forward-looking strategies.”

“Bigger, Better, Together”

Charlton Abbotts landscaping division will continue to deliver high quality landscaping services under its trusted name Charlton Abbotts, with no changes to its current trading format, ensuring consistency for their clients.