Managing a 3,000-acre country estate while delivering on ambitious visions for the future involves the work of a wide range of dedicated individuals.
The South Ormsby Estate & Team includes experts in a wide range of skills and disciplines who work together for the good of the estate and its communities.
Jon and Jan Thornes became the custodians of South Ormsby Estate in 2016 and since then, they’ve been leading the way with an exciting vision for the estate’s future.
Born in West Yorkshire, Jon has worked in agriculture, agribusiness and technology throughout his career.
Jon and Jan have lived in Lincolnshire for many years and they now live on South Ormsby Estate.
Paul has over 15 years’ experience of estate and farm management and has a qualification in agribusiness. He is a member of the Worshipful Company of Farmers and the Institute of Agricultural Management.
Sarah started on the Estate in January 2022 having 15 years of Accounts experience and is a Qualified Bookkeeper with the Association of Accounting Technicians. When not at work she enjoys spending time outside in the garden, growing her own flowers and veg or relaxing on the side of a fishing lake.
Finn has joined the Estate as a graduate trainee in 2019, after completing her BA in Photography. She now works as Estate Admin Assistant, and is also the maker of Massingberd-Mundy Luxury Leather Goods.
A professional photographer who now lives on South Ormsby Estate, Damian takes photos on behalf of the estate and helps visitors and residents to appreciate the beauty of the area.
Jo joined South Ormsby Estate in 2022 as the assistant Caretaker for the Walker’s Hut at Sheep Dip Paddock. She is also Kitchen Supervisor for the Old Schoolhouse, where she serves beef buns and beverages. Living on the estate with her partner Clint, the Hall Steward, she loves how no one day is ever the same, and getting to meet lots of interesting, lovely people and hear about their memories of the school and South Ormsby.
Daria comes from an agricultural background, having been brought up on a big farm in Poland. She speaks two languages and has a degree in Business. New to her position of Commercial Manager at South Ormsby Estate, she is learning more and more about what the Estate offers each day.
Gemma is a born and bred ‘Yellow Belly’ with a family history of farming. She lives locally with her three children and two dogs. Gemma spent the initial part of her career working for the Civil Service but is now our Graduate Scheme, Volunteer Scheme and Saturday Club manager. She is passionate about working with young people, helping them develop skills for life and loves nothing more than getting her hands dirty on and around the estate helping the environment to thrive.
Joshua is from South Yorkshire and has a BA Honours in History from Lincoln University. He is a Graduate on the estate and joined in 2023 since having moved to Lincolnshire following graduation to live with his partner. He says, ‘during the grad scheme I have learned so much about sustainable and organic farming and the multitude of different areas that fall under the grads rotation.’
Marmite’s job at the Estate is arguably the most important of them all. He patrols South Ormsby Estate and makes sure that everything is in check. Whether it’s seeking out pests, greeting visitors, or exploring parts around the Estate, Marmite always keeps himself busy.
SEE MARMITE'S ADVENTURES ON THE ESTATE
Charlie started on the Estate in July and loves the variety of work the Estate provides. He studied Level 3 Extended Diploma in Countryside Management at college before working for 3 years on a farm in Hertfordshire. There he worked as both Livestock and Butchery Assistant, where his passion for poultry, sustainable food and whole animal butchery developed. On the Estate he hopes to develop the poultry enterprise and also support neurodiversity in the workplace.
Jacqui has worked to maintain South Ormsby Hall for over twenty five years and began her career working for the former squire, Adrian Massingberd-Mundy. Jacqui lives on the estate with her husband, whose family has worked at South Ormsby Estate for generations, and her 21-year-old daughter, Keira.
Tak is the founder of Takero Shimazaki Architects, a RIBA award-winning practice which specialises in sympathetically designed developments and restorations. Tak and his team are designing buildings for the estate’s future.
Jennifer is a RIBA East Midlands award-winning architect who’s well-regarded for high-profile restorations and new-builds. Jennifer is coordinating the direction and delivery of the architectural elements of the estate vision.
Cécile will design and deliver various projects across the Estate. Using her previous experience in refurbishment and new buildings, she will arrange the new proposals to be in keeping with the existing environment.
Keyura will be assisting with the design and development of new buildings on the estate. Using her previous experience developing housing in London and Cambridge, she’ll ensure buildings sit comfortably within the estate and are respectful to the surrounding area.
Marcus is the founder of an award-winning architecture firm which specialises in new buildings and building alterations in historic and protected environments. Marcus Beale Architects is leading the design and development of restoration projects across the estate including the restoration of South Ormsby Hall.
Barry Stow is an expert in historic building repair and the conservation of heritage sites and his previous work includes the restoration of The Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras Station and the Chapter House of Westminster Abbey. Barry is ensuring the plans for the estate are architecturally respectful to the area’s heritage.
Working alongside Marcus Beale and Barry Stowe, Daniel is the conservation architect for the restoration of the Massingberd-Mundy Rectory and South Ormsby Hall and walled garden.
Guy is a town planner and chartered surveyor specialising in rural planning. Through Indigo Planning, he is leading the Estate projects through the planning stage to ensure the best outcomes for the local community, economy and landscape.
Working alongside Guy Maxfield, Fareeda is a specialist in local government, policy, research, community development and volunteer management. She’s working to ensure the vision for the estate benefits the community, the local economy and the environment.
Giles started his career as a Tractor Driver on the Salisbury Plain and progressed into management and leadership within the Agri-Food industry across the UK, Eastern and Western Europe, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.
As Livestock Director, his role will be to develop and accelerate all aspects of the vertically integrated Animal enterprises on the Estate.
From climbing mountains, overseeing the family farm and running a successful travel business in South Africa, Darren and his wife decided to move to the UK where he embraced the role of cattle manager, merging his love for nature and a challenge with a dedication to sustainable and regenerative farming principles.
Louis is Lincolnshire born and bred. He has been around livestock all his life, and his grandparents were poultry farmers in France. He studied agriculture at Riseholme, achieving a level 3 diploma. He is a keen young farmer, where he takes part in lots of events and completions such as Tug of War for Spilsby young farmers. Cattle are his passion, and Louis have shown Lincoln reds and other cattle for the past two years, where he won the young farmer Lincoln red cattle handler at the Lincolnshire show,
The Young Workers Saturday Club is a group of young people aged 13-17, who work and help out with several tasks at South Ormsby. The club allows young people to learn valuable skills and gain working experience, whilst earning some money! Members each have their own contracts and are paid monthly, just like any other member of staff here at the Estate.
