Corporate & Regional Management Team

As Australia's leading vegetation management company, Active Tree Services is managed by an experienced team that is committed to providing a high level of service.

You can download a PDF of the organisational structure from here.

Executive Chairman
Mark Willcocks

In 1974 Mark started a small business, which has since grown into Active Tree Services, an industry leading organisation with hundreds of employees and contractors working in all Australian states. For most of this time, Mark has been the managing director.

Since Brendan Murphy’s appointment as CEO in late 2002, Mark has continued his ”hands on” involvement by working with the board as chairman and contributing to operational and strategic activities on a daily basis.

At an industry level, Active Tree Services and Mark have been instrumental in bringing together tree contracting organisations through leadership of industry bodies such as the Tree Contractors Association and sponsorship of the International Society of Arboriculture Australia Chapter (ISAAC) at conferences and other events.

Mark has played a key role over several years in the development of an industry code of practice and other standards for the industry that has raised the professionalism and safety levels of operators across the board.

His passion for the business and the industry is unabated, and Mark enjoys nothing more than travelling around the company’s field operations, talking to employees and subcontractors and listening to their suggestions for improving the business.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Sydney University.

Management Team

Chief Executive Officer
Brendan Murphy

Brendan joined Active Tree Services in October 2002, bringing to the company an extensive operational leadership background gained in a variety of large organisations from a range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, logistics and security.

The development of strong partnerships providing great value to our customers has been a priority focus for Brendan. This approach has paid off with impressive growth in new business and a very high rate of retention of existing contracts.

Recent years have seen an improvement in safety performance and other indicators of business wellbeing.

Brendan and the team at Active Tree Services continually strive to provide services that others find hard to match by utilising the latest technology, equipment and methods whilst continually investing in developing the capability of our workforce.

Brendan has a Bachelor of Science (Eng) degree and Diploma of Management.

Group General Manager
David Lancaster

David was appointed in 2004 to drive the development of Active Tree Services’ financial and business systems infrastructure and assure its financial strength through a period of significant growth.

Prior to joining Active, David started his career in chartered accounting before moving into large multinational organisations operating in the logistics and banking industries. David has vast experience in financial management and governance as well as business processes and systems. David has led the role out of global logistics systems in the US and Asia.

David’s focus is on implementing and maintaining a strong, flexible and effective business systems and financial infrastructure, providing tools and information to help guide the business forward.

David is a CPA and holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Macquarie University.

Administration Services Manager
Kerrie Lambkin

Kerrie has been with Active Tree Services since 1992 and is Executive PA to the CEO and Executive Chairman and has held many key roles since 1992, including HR Manager, Quality Assurance, Payroll, Accounts and Purchasing.

Her in-depth knowledge of the company, its processes and history gives Kerrie a great platform to add value in her current role.

Kerrie’s other responsibilities include expense management and auditing, and diagnosis and review of administrative processes in head office and in regional offices in order to improve discipline and reduce risk.

Chief Information Officer
Justin Sheppherd

Commencing in April 2005, Justin brings to Active an impressive background in management of IT infrastructure, consulting and project management of software and implementation of business processes.

Justin is responsible for maintaining the IT infrastructure to ensure it is available, effective and secure, provide technical support to users and ensure the security of data across the business.

With his team of IT professionals, Justin has also developed and deployed IT strategies to optimise operational effectiveness, providing staff and customers with the best available IT and communication solutions.

Justin holds a Bachelor of Information Science and is currently pursuing a Master of Management in Information Technology.

Human Resources Manager
Martin Purcell

Martin worked in senior HR roles with several major Australian organisations before joining Active Tree Services in May 2008.

Most recently, he was national HR operations manager at Crown Forklifts for three years, following two years as National HR Specialist, Supply Chain at Woolworths. At Active Tree Services, Martin is responsible for ensuring the company recruits the right people, that they are well trained, motivated and rewarded for delivering great value to all stakeholders.

He does this by designing and implementing programs aligned to the business strategy that aim to enhance employee selection, engagement, performance and retention, as well as supporting the business with contemporary people processes and tools.

HR also aims to develop skills and capability in our front line managers and other emerging talent through regular workshops and development activities.

Martin has a Bachelor of Business degree majoring in HR Management.

Fleet Services Manager
Michael Lundberg

Since April 2007 Michael Lundberg has managed the large Active Tree Services fleet with a sharp focus on improving vehicle availability and reducing maintenance and associated costs.

This is a familiar role for Michael, who established his credentials in fleet operations and service management at a number of high profile Australian transport and logistics companies.

Michael manages the workshop at Mt Kuring-gai and continually seeks to review operations and implement initiatives to improve the company’s operational and safe-working performance.

Special Projects
Andy Marinkovic

Andy was appointed in January 1996 to manage the expansion of Active Tree Services into Victoria.

Prior to joining Active, Andy had a successful career with the Victorian Electricity Commission where he managed major business units leading teams of technical, commercial and trades employees.

His knowledge of power supply and associated services has been very valuable in establishing and maintaining relationships with our key power industry customers in Victoria and other states.

Over the past decade, Andy has been instrumental in further successful expansion of the Active brand into South Australia, and Western Australia.

Andy holds a Diploma of Electrical Engineering, Electrical Trades qualifications and a Diploma in Arboriculture.

Email andym@activetreeservices.com.au
Ph (03) 9872 6144
Fax (03) 9872 6177