Profile

As Xylotek’s Managing Director, Oscar brings a deep knowledge of the international structural timber industry gained over the last twenty years of working in the UK, Canada, US and France. His passion for the role of wood in the future of sustainable construction has driven a career dedicated to advancing timber applications. Through a combination of hands-on experience – gained through major self-build ventures and on international projects – and project management, Oscar has a long track record of delivering design-build projects from start to finish.

He was a founding director of EmanuelHendry Ltd in 2008 which successful grew as a design-led timber construction firm delivering to the UK market, and has worked as a consultant to US and European architects and timber construction companies.

With this holistic understanding of design, delivery and management – and a strong material and market knowledge and commercial network – Oscar is leading Xylotek’s development as a company seeking to benefit society by contributing to the transition to a low-carbon future.

Charley Brentnall is an internationally recognised leader in timber construction and conservation. With work spanning four decades and four continents, he has established a unique professional approach which combines intimate understanding of material with the ability to lead the delivery of large and complex timber structures.

As the founder of Carpenter Oak and Woodland in 1987, Charley pioneered the renaissance of timber-framing in the UK and became the country’s leading expert in traditional construction.

Since 2000 his work has evolved to embrace new technologies and he seeks, as a founder of Xylotek, to marry depth of knowledge with wood with the opportunities of advanced fabrication.

Having led projects internationally and in a range of cultural and educational contexts, Charley has particular expertise in forming and enabling teams to deliver exceptional projects.

Martin Self is an engineer, geometer and educator who has specialised in innovative timber structures since 2005. Following a background in aerospace engineering, he was a founder member of Arup’s Advanced Geometry Unit (2000-2006) and Director of Hooke Park (2010-2018), the Architectural Association’s woodland campus for experimental timber architecture, where he continues to teach.

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Key previous projects include the 2005 Serpentine Pavilion, for which he developed a pioneering application of geometric scripting for robotic fabrication; the form-finding for the Pompidou Metz timber roof at its concept design stage; and directing the design and construction of a series of timber buildings at Hooke Park that radically explore the use of locally grown wood.

He is a founding director of Xylotek and leads our design activities.

Elli is a chartered accountant with 10 years’ experience helping SMEs to grow their businesses. She has recently studied for an MSc in Green Building at the Centre for Alternative Technology to pursue her love of timber and other sustainable construction materials.

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Richard began his career as an economist working with the World Bank and IFAD, then became a  partner at KPMG. In 2000 Richard formed Catalyst Venture Partners, a boutique  investment advisory company specialising in early-stage growth companies, and  in 2020 he founded Ruffena Venture Finance, a venture debt investor.  He has been a strategic advisor to Xylotek since its foundation, and became Chairman in 2021.

Adam Indge joined Xylotek as an Operations Director in mid-2023, bringing with him over 20 years of valuable experience in the construction industry. Starting his career in a trades background, Adam truly understands the industry from the ground up and he ascended the ranks to lead construction firms to extraordinary accomplishments and growth.

His strong team ethos and belief in bringing people together to realize their full potential make him an asset to Xylotek and the complex projects and challenges. Upon discovering the impactful work that Xylotek does, Adam was immediately drawn to the sustainable mission. His fervent passion and alignment with Xylotek's mission make him a dynamic and invaluable asset to the team.

Upon her graduation with a BA Hons in English from The University of Sussex, Ellen pursued and successfully attained a Level 3 RHS Horticulture qualification, a testament to her deepening commitment to sustainability. Drawing from a background in healthcare administration, she simultaneously fostered a profound fascination with architecture that treads lightly on the environment.

Ellen's journey brought her to Xylotek in 2021, where her primary focus centered on enhancing practice management. Since then, her influence has rippled through the organization, becoming an indispensable linchpin for both company culture and collaborative teams. Through her dedicated efforts, Ellen has not only enriched Xylotek's operations but has also paved the way for a thriving and harmonious work environment.

After graduating from University of Bristol with BSc Hons in Mathematics, Luke has gained experience in accounts payable and bookkeeping at Bristol-based companies. Xylotek’s enthusiastic and warm culture led him to join in March 2022 as part of the integrated finance team.

Greg is a highly experienced professional within the construction industry. Coming from a background in architecture, he has worked on both residential and commercial projects, as well as in the offsite construction sector. Greg joined Xylotek in December 2022 to work on exciting timber structures and further his scope in delivery of dynamic projects.

Liam is based at our Bristol carpentry workshop and takes the lead for projects being fabricated there.
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After graduating in Product Design Technology, Nate has spent several years building experience and developing his knowledge as a Technical Designer of high-end bespoke furniture.

Then, in the summer of 2020 Nate moved to London, taking on the role of a Senior Designer with a large-scale developer of compact city living studios. Xylotek’s previous and future projects, as well as their collaborative working environment, led Nate to join in August 2021.

Jake's background in quantity surveying spans many forms of construction projects; from the traditional to the modular. He takes pride in taking the whole process through from tendering to final accounts and enjoys building strong relationships throughout. Jake joined Xylotek in summer 2023 to pursue a new challenge and develop his knowledge of bespoke timber projects.

As a graduate of the Royal College of Art, Rob spent the past six years designing and managing the delivery of a diverse oeuvre of high-profile projects with specialist timber applications. He has experience designing and making across a broad spectrum of timber construction disciplines, furniture, joinery, heavy structural timber framing. Rob is passionate about promoting the use of natural and sustainable materials in architecture and construction and is excited to be working at the vanguard of the timber industry in the UK.

Wilf has ten years of practical experience in a range of projects including large-scale stage set productions for UK and European festivals, music videos, adverts and awards ceremonies, as well as traditional joinery. He holds qualifications in carpentry and joinery as well as a BA Hons in Fine Art from Brighton University. Wilf has previously worked on projects with Greenpeace, Timberland, The BBC and Glastonbury Festival.

Steve studied Design at Brighton University, later working in antiques restoration, joinery, carpentry and prop fabrication. He has previously worked on art and architectural installations in Trafalgar Square, The V&A Museum and St Ann’s Hospital. Steve has a passion for detailed joinery and both modern and traditional methods of woodworking. He joined Xylotek in September 2021 to contribute to the running of our Bristol Hub workshop.

As a graduate of the University of Lagos with a B.Sc & M.Sc in Architecture and M.sc Project Management in Construction from the University of Salford, Ayotunde has gained a wide range of experience in designing and managing the delivery of residential and commercial buildings in Africa. His passion for the use of sustainable materials in creating innovative designs led him to join Xylotek in 2023 to work on advanced timber construction.

Christof Lemka is experienced in the processes and logistics of workshop production. He joined Xylotek in 2020 to set up and run our Bristol workshop facility, before which he had led set-building and artwork fabrication and installation projects, including for a major scuplture at Tate Modern.

Ollie joined Xylotek in Spring 2023 and brought along with him a diverse skill-set and extensive sales experience. Ollie's passion for sustainable construction design and the many benefits of using timber as a building material enables him to advocate with certainty for Xylotek as a company. Along with a creative mindset, Ollie has a drive to deepen his knowledge of the timber industry as a whole.

Ollie has a unique background in creative marketing and keeps a finger on the pulse. He joined us from the technology industry and studied the consumption of augmented technologies. Armed with a passion for sustainability, he hopes to expand the industry's access to timber construction.

Phoebe graduated in Quantity Surveying from Heriot-Watt University and has gained a wide range of experience working in cost and project management in both consultancy and contractor settings. Her passion for sustainability and innovative architecture led her to join Xylotek to work on pioneering timber projects.

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Lucia has over 15 years of financial experience within the construction industry. She joined Xylotek in July 2022 in order to grow the finance department and explore her skills in management further. Lucia is currently enjoying finishing her CIMA qualification, as well as having a passion for architecture, nature and coffee.

Jules joined us in 2023 to deliver sustainable and complex construction projects. From the conception of mass timber structures to offsite solutions, Jules enjoys the process and approaches projects rigorously and knowledgeably. He is particularly interested in low-carbon and future-proof buildings.

Luke joined us from the timber construction industry, specialising in bespoke garden projects.

Matt joined Xylotek in 2023 to deepen his knowledge of the timber industry and enable the design function to work with increasing efficiency. Matt's professional background as a Design Engineer with First Class Honours in Product Design and Innovation gave him the tools to understand the software, processes and teamwork involved in successful production programmes. His broad experience of managing a large team in the technology industry led him to Xylotek.

Rachel Wagner is an architecture graduate and has been working in timber design since 2016. Originally from São Paulo, she has a background in Glulam  fabrication, construction and engineering, as well as a passion for digital  fabrication and design. Rachel joined Xylotek in 2021 while finishing her  master's in timber architecture and construction at ENSTIB in France.

Ryan graduated from the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. Whilst completing his Undergraduate and Masters degree in Architecture, Ryan has worked as an architectural assistant in small and large practices in London. Further to this, Ryan has worked in workshops at ETH Zurich and supervised a self-build project. Ryan joined Xylotek in May 2022 as an Install Supervisor and is passionate about combining his design and workshop background with delivering the installation of projects.

Paul Wones trained in Fine Furniture Design and Making at The Building Crafts College in London.