Meet the Team

Anthony Climpson OBE

Chief Executive

Anthony managed the transformation of Go New Forest out of New Forest District Council’s previous tourism service and is responsible for the delivery of Go New Forest’s strategy and marketing plan. Enjoying a long career in tourism, he established Dorset’s first county tourism service before becoming NFDC Tourism Manager in 1987. He created New Forest Tourism Association and is a Past President and Fellow of the Tourism Management Institute, and Fellow of the Tourism Society.

Founder of the VERB tourism model, Anthony achieved National Beacon Status from Government for sustainable tourism in the New Forest in 2004, was awarded OBE for services to tourism in 2005 and won Best Destination and Best Personal Contribution in 2007 World Responsible Tourism Awards. He is a passionate Swindon Town FC fan and drummer with local soulful jazz and reggae band the Blue Tides.

Carol Seymour

Business Manager

Carol has worked in the tourism team for the last 10 years. She owned a secretarial agency in Ringwood and was also PA to the New Forest Committee when it was first set up, prior to starting a family.

Having lived in the Ringwood area since the age of 11, she has been a past member of the Institute of Qualified Private Secretaries and more recently completed a Prince2 Project Management Course.

Carol is married with two grown-up children and enjoys walking and cycling in the New Forest during her spare time. She regularly attends evening classes to try out new skills, her most recent being a Professional Chefs’ course at Brockenhurst College.

Rachael Rogers

Digital Marketing Officer

Rachael has lived in the New Forest all of her life, and was educated at local schools including Brockenhurst College.

She joined the tourism team a year ago and has successfully completed a Level 3 ITQ Apprenticeship. In her time at the Council she has developed a number of new skills in the workplace. As well as gaining her ITQ Apprenticeship qualification, she has also achieved A Levels in ICT, Business and Economics and Psychology.

Rachael is an avid dog-lover and also has a passion for extreme sports and indie-rock music. She also has a love of travel.