At First Tunnels, we’ve been growing strong for over 35 years. What started as a small venture has blossomed into a dedicated team of skilled professionals who are not only experts in our field but genuine enthusiasts too. We’re a close-knit bunch who take great pride in the quality, durability, and versatility of every product we offer.
What sets us apart is that we don’t just sell polytunnels — we use them ourselves. Our hands-on experience has been the driving force behind countless improvements and innovations over the years. Because we know that the best ideas don’t always come from the drawing board — they come from the garden, in real-life, muddy-boots situations.
We even have our own allotment, which serves as our living test space and a source of daily inspiration. It’s where we experiment, grow, learn — and occasionally grill! From summer barbecues to winter warmers, our team gatherings remind us that work should be as rewarding and enjoyable as the fruits (and veg!) of our labour.
So, whether you’re just starting your growing journey or you’re a seasoned gardener, you can trust that every First Tunnels product is built on decades of knowledge, passion, and genuine experience.
Have a question or want to get in touch with someone from our team? Simply click on a team member below to send them an email — we’d love to hear from you!
Meet The Team
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 32 years
Sean Barker has served as the Managing Director of First Tunnels for 30 years, joining the company in September 1995. Under his leadership, the Altham-based business has grown into a premier UK manufacturer, serving everyone from domestic hobbyists to commercial growers and high-profile celebrities.
Professional Expertise & Leadership
Industry Longevity: With three decades at the helm, Sean has steered the company through major technological shifts, integrating digital tools to better support the gardening community.
Commitment to Excellence: Sean has championed high operational standards, leading First Tunnels to achieve both ISO 9001 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) certifications. These accreditations ensure customers receive exacting product quality from a business committed to sustainable manufacturing.
Social & Ethical Responsibility: Under his direction, First Tunnels became an Accredited Living Wage Employer. He furthered this commitment in late 2024 by achieving Living Hours accreditation, guaranteeing fair contracts and secure working conditions for all employees.
A Reputation Built on Trust: Sean prioritizes transparency, subscribing to three independent review platforms. By 2024, the company hit a milestone of over 6,000 reviews on Trustpilot, maintaining a high rating for its "robust" products and "first-class" service.
Customer-Centric Philosophy: He is widely recognised for prioritising support, expanding the team to include construction experts and launching a dedicated weekend construction helpline for DIY builders.
Trusted by the Experts
Under Sean's management, First Tunnels has become the preferred choice for major horticultural projects and high-profile growers:
Clarkson's Farm: First Tunnels was approached to provide and construct two commercial polytunnels for the second season of Jeremy Clarkson’s popular show at Diddly Squat Farm, helping protect crops from unpredictable weather.
Celebrity Endorsements: The company's order books include renowned figures such as Alan Titchmarsh, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and Bob Flowerdew.
Institutional Supply: They also supply major government organisations, including the NHS and HM Prisons, along with hundreds of schools across the UK.
Passion for Horticulture
Beyond his executive role, Sean is a "hands-on" enthusiast who advocates for organic gardening and sustainable growing. He ensures the company maintains its own allotment for research and testing, allowing the team to innovate based on first-hand experience. Sean holds a BSc (Hons) in Business Information Systems & Management from the University of Central Lancashire, blending technical innovation with a genuine passion for the British gardening tradition.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 17 years
Hayley Shutt serves as a Director at First Tunnels, bringing a wealth of operational insight and administrative expertise to the board. Hayley is an integral part of the leadership team responsible for maintaining the company’s position as the UK’s leading manufacturer of domestic and commercial polytunnels.
Operational Excellence & Team Synergy
While many see the finished steel structures in gardens across the country, Hayley’s work happens at the core of the business. Her role is not just about managing the present, but about building a sustainable, ethical, and highly efficient organisation that will lead the UK horticultural market for decades to come.
The Heart of Our Operations: Hayley oversees the vital administrative and organisational structures that allow First Tunnels to operate at such a high volume without losing its personal touch. She works closely with Office Manager Dawn and Accounts Manager Michelle to ensure that the "behind-the-scenes" journey from the initial inquiry to the final invoice is as seamless as possible for the customer. Her focus is on efficiency, accuracy, and the continuous improvement of the customer experience.
Upholding the Brand Standards
Hayley ensures that every department adheres to the rigorous quality standards the brand is known for. Whether she is reviewing internal safety protocols or strategic growth plans, her objective remains the same: to ensure First Tunnels provides the most durable structures on the market while maintaining the highest levels of integrity and professional service.
A People-First Approach
Hayley is deeply committed to the people who make First Tunnels a success. She believes that a company is only as strong as the well-being of its workforce. Hayley understands that happy, secure employees provide the best possible service to our customers.
Supporting Our Workforce: Hayley is a strong proponent of the company’s "family-first" culture. She plays a key role in human resources and staff welfare, ensuring that the team of constructors, warehouse staff, and office personnel have the support they need to thrive.
In her spare time, you will often find Hayley tending to her flowers and cultivating produce down at the allotment, nurturing her love of gardening both for beauty and for the table, and sometimes using her harvest to prepare staff lunches to share with the team.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 6 years
Grace Barker is a Director at First Tunnels, playing a pivotal role in the high-level governance and strategic oversight of the company. Formally appointed to the board in early 2023, Grace represents the continued commitment of the Barker family to the business’s long-term success and its reputation as the UK’s leading polytunnel authority.
Guiding with Purpose
Ethical Values: In her role as Director, Grace focuses on the intersection of operational excellence and corporate responsibility. She is a key advocate for the company’s ethical employment practices, ensuring that First Tunnels remains a gold-standard employer within the manufacturing sector.
Workforce Wellbeing at the Heart: Her influence is central to the company’s continued accreditation as a Living Wage and Living Hours employer, reflecting her belief that a dedicated and well-supported workforce is the secret behind the company’s 35 years of success.
Balancing growth with a personal touch
Leading Responsibly: While the company has grown into a national leader, Grace is committed to maintaining the personal, family-run feel that customers value. She oversees the strategic alignment of the various departments from general management to the on-site expertise of the construction teams ensuring everyone is working toward the shared goal of providing the best growing environments in the UK.
Through her guidance, the company continues to combine operational excellence with a personal touch, ensuring that customers receive not only a high-quality product but also the friendly, reliable service that has been a hallmark of the business for over 35 years.
A Vision for the Future
Grace ensures that the business remains agile and responsive to the needs of modern gardeners, schools, and commercial growers, all while upholding the traditional values of durability and technical precision that her family established decades ago. In her spare time, you will often find Grace tending her allotment, putting her love of horticulture into practice and cooking with the produce she grows, staying connected to the very passion that inspires First Tunnels’ work.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 11 years
James Barker is a Director at First Tunnels, playing a central role in the leadership and strategic direction of the company. Formally appointed to the board in January 2019, James is part of the core team that has helped First Tunnels maintain its reputation as the UK’s leading polytunnel specialist for over 35 years.
Leadership & Vision
As a Director, James focuses on the continued evolution of the business, ensuring that the company’s manufacturing processes stay at the cutting edge of the horticultural industry.
Under James’s guidance, First Tunnels has moved beyond being a mere supplier to becoming a vital partner for the British gardening community.
Experience That Drives Excellence: He believes the company’s greatest asset is the collective experience of its team, from the long-standing expertise of managers to the precision and dedication of warehouse operatives.
Commitment to Growth
By fostering an environment of continuous improvement, James ensures that the innovations developed on the company's own test allotments are translated into real-world benefits for customers.
Proven in practice: James is a hands-on advocate for practical, sustainable growing. At First Tunnels, we don’t just sell structures—we test, challenge, and refine them on our own demonstrations to ensure every product delivers real-world performance.
Innovation and Integrity
Under his direction, the company continues to foster a supportive, inclusive, and fair workplace culture, prioritising employee wellbeing, development, and satisfaction. This commitment has helped maintain First Tunnels’ status as an Accredited Living Wage and Living Hours employer, reflecting a genuine dedication to fair business practices and responsible management. James combines this leadership approach with a strong technical background, holding an MSc (Master’s) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Lancaster, which informs his strategic decisions and ensures the company stays at the forefront of innovation and operational excellence in polytunnel design and construction.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 25 years
If you’ve ever called First Tunnels, chances are you’ve encountered Dawn’s friendly and professional expertise. As our Office Manager, Dawn is the central hub of our daily operations, ensuring that the lines of communication between our customers, the manufacturing floor, and the logistics team remain seamless.
The Backbone of Our Office
Dawn is a vital part of First Tunnels’ close-knit and highly skilled team, bringing organisation and expertise to everything she does.
Administrative Responsibilities: Overseeing day-to-day operations and coordinating the administrative and customer service processes, Dawn keeps the business running smoothly behind the scenes.
HR Operations and Employee Relations: Managing human resources operations and coordinating recruitment, employee relations, and HR processes, Dawn ensures the organisation runs smoothly from an employee-focused perspective.
Company Culture
With a deep knowledge of our entire product range from the smallest cloche to our largest commercial polytunnel Dawn coordinates our administrative staff and manages the complex scheduling that keeps the business ticking. She is the first point of contact for many of our clients, providing the expert guidance and reassurance needed to turn a garden plan into a reality.
Customer Support: With over two decades of experience, Dawn is involved in assisting customers with inquiries regarding polytunnel products, sizing, and accessories.
Product Testing: Using the company’s own polytunnels on their communal allotment to gain first-hand experience for product improvements. This "all hands-on deck" approach means that even the office management team has a practical understanding of the polytunnels they sell.
Commitment to Fair Pay: First Tunnels is an Accredited Living Wage and Living Hours employer, a standard Dawn helps maintain within the staff culture.
Dedicated to Quality
Dawn is an essential part of the team, known for her expertise in office management and administrative coordination. She plays a vital role in ensuring that every staff member and client experience seamless operation, giving everyone confidence that the office runs efficiently and effectively. Dawn is integrated into the company’s unique culture of hands-on gardening. Dawn participates in the company's communal allotment activities, which First Tunnels uses to test their own products.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 21 years
Michelle is a key member of the team, known for her expertise in accounts management and financial oversight. She ensures that all financial processes run smoothly and accurately, giving the team confidence in the organization’s financial integrity.
Financial Stewardship & Accounts Management
Michelle keeps the businesses finances on track as Accounts Manager, ensuring everything runs smoothly at the heart of operations.
Financial Oversight: Managing day-to-day accounting operations and coordinating invoicing, budgeting, and financial reporting, Michelle ensures the organization’s finances are accurate, efficient, and reliable.
Accounts Management: Michelle’s expertise in accounts management helps First Tunnels operate seamlessly, supporting both the team and our customers through precise financial oversight.
Precision You Can Trust
Outside of the numbers, Michelle’s extensive experience makes her a valued member in the office and a trusted contributor to customer service.
Reliable Guidance: Whether she is helping a customer with a billing query, resolving a complex invoicing issue, or guiding a client through payment options, Michelle’s professional yet friendly manner consistently exemplifies the company’s personable and professional ethos, leaving customers confident in both the accuracy of their transactions and the care they receive.
Industry Knowledge: With more than twenty years working within the horticultural and manufacturing industries, Michelle contributes a wealth of industry knowledge and financial insight to the First Tunnels team.
Excellence in Every Transaction
Michelle ensures that the administrative side of buying a polytunnel is as smooth and stress-free as the construction itself. Whether she’s coordinating with suppliers or helping a customer with a billing query. Michelle’s professional yet friendly manner exemplifies the company’s personable and professional ethos. She plays a vital role in maintaining our status as an Accredited Living Wage Employer, ensuring that our commitment to fair business practices is reflected in our financial management every day.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 5 years
Rachel is a cornerstone of the First Tunnels team, known for her dual expertise in logistics and practical polytunnel assembly. She plays a vital role in ensuring that every customer – from a first time gardner to a commercial grower – has the confidence to build and maintain their structure.
The Face of Construction Support
Rachel is perhaps the most recognisable to the gardening community as a key presenter in the First Tunnels Construction Videos.
Expert Guidance: In our comprehensive video library, Rachel provides clear, step-by-step instructions on essential tasks, such as how to correctly fit a polythene cover or install a door frame.
Practical Insights: Her hands – on demonstrations are designed to demystify the assembly process, turning complex engineering tasks into manageable steps for DIY builds. Customers frequently cite these videos as their most valuable resource during a weekend build.
Logistics and Problem Solving
When she isn’t sharing her expertise on camera, Rachel manages the intricate logistics required to deliver high-quality structures across the UK.
Proactive Resolution: She has earned a stellar reputation on Trustpilot, with reviews consistently praising her for being ‘extremely helpful’ and resolving delivery queries ‘within minutes.
Customer Advocacy: Rachel ensures that if a project hits a snag, it is addressed with the ‘first class’ service that has become First Tunnels hallmark.
Commitment to Excellence
Rachel embodies the company’s ‘hands on’ philosophy. By combining her logistical skills with her practical construction knowledge, she provides a level of support that goes far beyond a standard customer service role. Her dedication is a major factor in the company maintaining its high ratings across over 6,000 independent reviews and its reputation for being the most supportive manufacturer in the industry. Rachel holds a BSc (Hons) in Events Management from Leeds Beckett University, where she developed strong organizational and leadership skills that she now applies to every project she undertakes.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 17 years
Mark Brighton is the General Manager at First Tunnels, where he leads and oversees daily warehouse operations, helping guide the team that supplies high‑quality domestic and commercial polytunnels across the UK. In his role, Mark plays a central part in ensuring excellent service, supporting product development, and maintaining First Tunnels’ reputation for quality and customer satisfaction.
Driving ISO Standards Across Operations
Mark plays a crucial role at First Tunnels by overseeing and ensuring that all the company’s accreditations, including ISO standards, are rigorously followed. His attention to detail and commitment to compliance guarantee that every process meets the highest levels of quality and safety, supporting both the team and our customers with confidence in our operations.
Ethical Timber and FSC® Certification: He ensures that our policy of using timber materials exclusively from reputable suppliers is upheld, and by becoming an FSC® Certified Member, First Tunnels demonstrates its commitment to ethical forest management and the high industry standards required.
Prioritising Health and Safety in Every Operation: Mark upholds industry regulations and implement comprehensive safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment on every project.
Hands-On Technical Support & Service Excellence
When he’s not managing operations behind the scenes, you might find Mark assisting with the technical construction of your polytunnel, guiding customers over the phone from the construction line. As a primary contact for the company, he expertly balances internal management with high-level customer support and hands-on technical advice.
Driving Growth Through Experience: Having been with the company for over 16 years, he has played a significant role in the business's growth from a family-run operation into one of the UK’s most recognizable suppliers of domestic and commercial polytunnels.
Leadership Through Experience
His deep knowledge of the polytunnel market, coupled with a hands-on leadership style, has been pivotal in guiding the business through nearly two decades of technological and agricultural innovation. Beyond his office responsibilities, Mark is a true all-rounder at First Tunnels. You’ll often find him handling polythene covers, offering hands-on support with construction tasks, and lending his expertise wherever it’s needed on site. His willingness to step into every role, from the practical to the strategic, demonstrates his commitment to the team and the success of every project.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 14 years
Peter serves as the Warehouse Manager for First Tunnels, where he oversees the complex logistics and inventory management required to supply gardeners and commercial growers across the UK. With First Tunnels manufacturing its structures in-house, Peter’s role is central to ensuring that every component from high-tensile steel hoops to specialised Super Therm polythene covers is quality-checked, organised, and ready for dispatch.
Operational Oversight and Core Responsibilities
Quality Assurance: Peter plays a vital role in maintaining the high standards that have made First Tunnels a preferred supplier for gardening experts like Alan Titchmarsh and Bob Flowerdew.
Inventory Control: Peter manages a vast inventory that includes specialised tubing, membrane stores, and timber supplies, ensuring the facility is fully stocked to meet the seasonal demands of the horticultural industry.
Operational Efficiency: Peter coordinates the movement of materials between the manufacturing floor which houses bending and tube-forming equipment and the storage zones to ensure a seamless workflow.
His logistical expertise is what allows us to deliver to hobbyists, schools, and organisations like the NHS with speed and reliability, regardless of the season.
Expert Guidance from Start to Finish
Technical Guidance: When he’s not overseeing day-to-day operations, Peter can often be found supporting the practical side of polytunnel construction, guiding customers over the phone with technical advice from start to finish. As a key point of contact for the company, he skilfully balances operational management with hands-on guidance and high-quality customer support.
Practical Guidance: You may also find Peter, on occasion, out on site assisting with the build itself, working alongside the team to ensure each polytunnel is constructed correctly, efficiently, and to the highest possible standard bringing his technical knowledge directly onto the build site.
Inspecting Excellence Firsthand
Beyond his warehouse responsibilities, Peter can often be found inspecting our full range of polytunnel structures on site, ensuring every frame meets the company’s high standards—something customers are welcome to see for themselves when they visit.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 22 years
With a career built on precision and reliability, Sean Dowson is a cornerstone of the dispatch team at First Tunnels. As one of the company’s longest-standing employees, Sean brings a level of expertise and institutional knowledge that is vital to the daily operations of the warehouse. While the warehouse handles a vast array of structures, Sean has carved out a niche as the leading specialist in domestic polytunnels. This role requires a unique blend of physical stamina and a methodical mind.
Expert Kit Preparation
Sean specialises in the intricate process of packing domestic polytunnels. This role is far more than just packing boxes; it requires a deep understanding of the diverse components from high-grade steel foundations to specialised polythene covers that make up a First Tunnels kit.
Sean’s eye for detail ensures every customer receives exactly what they need for a successful build, reflecting the high standards the company is known for — from ensuring the correct diameter of tubes to the quantity of clamps and fixings.
A Legacy of Excellence
In an industry where attention to detail is everything, Sean’s longevity at First Tunnels is his greatest badge of honour. As one of the longest-standing members of the team, he has witnessed the evolution of polytunnel design and warehouse technology firsthand. This institutional memory is invaluable; he often works with Wayne who is part of our despatch team for troubleshooting complex orders or mentoring staff members on the "First Tunnels way" of doing things.
Why Experience Matters
Sean’s years of experience mean he can spot a missing anchor plate or a mismatched fitting from across the room, ensuring that when a customer unboxes their tunnel they have everything they need for a seamless build.
For Sean, the job isn't just about shipping boxes—it's about supporting the British gardening community. He understands that for many customers, a domestic polytunnel is a significant investment in their lifestyle. By treating every order with the same level of care he did on his first day, he ensures that the First Tunnels reputation for reliability remains intact.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 5 years
In the high-energy environment of the First Tunnels warehouse, Wayne Howard holds a position of immense responsibility. Specialising in the packing and despatch of doors and tubes for domestic polytunnel kits, Wayne is a key player in ensuring that every customer’s gardening journey gets off to a perfect start.
The Perfect Partnership
Wayne doesn’t work in isolation; he operates as part of a highly skilled duo alongside Sean Dowson. While Sean brings decades of experience to the general packing of domestic kits, Wayne focuses his expertise on the critical structural components—the steel tubing and door frames. Together, they form a "dream team" in the warehouse, combining their shared knowledge to ensure the complex logistics of polytunnel despatching run like clockwork.
The Specialist in Despatch of Doors & Tubes
Tube Management: He ensures that the correct quantities and diameters of steel tubes are bundled securely, preventing any movement or damage during the delivery process.
Secure Despatch: The final checkpoint is where Wayne’s dedication to quality truly shines. Wayne confirms that the entire package is "road-ready" for a safe journey to the customer’s garden.
A Pillar of Reliability
Working alongside a veteran like Sean has only sharpened Wayne’s commitment to excellence. He understands that for a customer, the arrival of those tubes and doors is the beginning of an exciting project. By being the final set of eyes on every despatch, Wayne ensures that First Tunnels’ reputation for reliability is delivered right to the customer's doorstep.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 7 years
Craig Wilkinson is a vital link in the First Tunnels supply chain, specifically focused on the complex logistics of Commercial Polytunnel Despatch. In the world of commercial horticulture, where structures can cover vast areas and require thousands of precision-engineered parts, Craig’s role is to ensure that the transition from our warehouse to the customer's site is flawless.
Master of Commercial Logistics
Craig specialises in the auditing, picking, and packing of these large-scale commercial polytunnel kits. He manages a vast inventory of heavy-gauge steel, timber components, and industrial-scale ventilation systems.
His deep understanding of the technical specifications for our commercial range ensures that every shipment regardless of size is 100% complete and palletised for on-site assembly.
Quality Control & Precision Loading
Safe, Specialised Loading from Factory to Site: He is also an expert in specialised loading techniques, ensuring that heavy structural steel and delicate "Super Therm" covers are secured safely for transit, arriving on-site in the same perfect condition they left the factory.
Complete Component Packing: Craig packs every component involved in the project, carefully coordinating and securing materials ranging from the foundational elements at the base of the structure through to the final hoop assemblies.
A Pillar of the Warehouse Team
Craig is a dedicated professional who takes immense pride in the "First Tunnels" reputation for reliability. His methodical approach and calm under pressure during the busy peak seasons are what keep our commercial department running smoothly. Craig’s expertise ensures that whether we are shipping to a local nursery or a national institution, the delivery is handled with the same high level of professional care.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 12 years
At the heart of the First Tunnels manufacturing process you will find Phillip Turner, a specialist dedicated to the production and engineering of the most critical structural element of any polytunnel: the hoops.
With an unwavering focus on structural integrity and precision, Phil ensures that the framework of every First Tunnels kit from the smallest garden polytunnel to the largest commercial polytunnel is built to last.
Art of Hoop Manufacturing
Manufacturing polytunnel hoops is a high-precision task that involves transforming high-grade steel into the iconic arches that define a First Tunnels structure. Phil’s expertise covers the entire lifecycle of hoop production, ensuring that every piece of steel meets the company’s rigorous standards.
Precision Bending: Utilising specialised machinery to ensure every hoop has a consistent radius, which is vital for the overall stability of the finished tunnel.
Stock Control: Ensuring all hoop stations are fully stocked and ready for production, so the correct sizes and quantities of hoops are always available to keep manufacturing despatch running smoothly
Engineering Reliability
For Phil, manufacturing isn't just about quantity; it’s about the peace of mind of the end-user. He understands that the hoops must withstand the unpredictable British weather, supporting the tension of the polythene cover and resisting wind and snow loads.
Uniformity: Phil ensures that every hoop produced is identical, allowing for a symmetrical and professional finish.
Quality Control: Every batch of steel is inspected to ensure it meets the diameter specifications required for different tunnel sizes.
A Mainstay of the Production Floor
As a key member of the manufacturing team, Phil’s role is essential in keeping the "First Tunnels engine" running. His work provides the literal backbone of the products, ensuring that when a customer starts their build, they are working with the best steelwork in the industry.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 43 years
In the niche world of professional polytunnel installation, Mick Wilson is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most experienced construction managers, with a career spanning over 40 years.
He is primarily known for his long-standing association with First Tunnels, where he has served as the Head of Construction. His career has tracked the evolution of the industry from basic "grow tunnels" to the high-spec, wind-resistant structures used today.
Driving Polytunnel Projects from Concept to Completion
On-Site Problem Solver: Having managed thousands of builds across the UK—ranging from domestic allotment kits to large commercial structures—he is an expert in navigating difficult terrain, high-wind sites, and complex ground anchoring.
Specialist Knowledge: He is a master of the "drum-tight" finish, specialising in both the traditional timber battening method and the modern aluminium rail systems.
Training and Mentorship: Over his four decades, he has trained dozens of professional installation teams, setting the industry standard for how these structures should be safely and efficiently constructed.
Highlights & Expertise
The "Face" of First Tunnels: Mick is the primary expert featured in First Tunnels’ extensive library of construction videos. If you have ever watched a tutorial on "skinning" a tunnel or tensioning a cover, it is likely Mick Wilson providing the demonstration.
Professional Reputation: Within the gardening community, Mick is recognised for his practical, straightforward approach and his talent for explaining plastic tension in a way that DIY enthusiasts can easily understand.
Impact on the Industry
Mick’s work has been instrumental in making polytunnel construction accessible to the average gardener. By breaking down complex engineering into simple, step-by-step instructions, he helped bridge the gap between commercial horticulture and the "grow-your-own" movement. Micks’ role is vital in maintaining First Tunnels' reputation for quality, ensuring that the transition from manufacturing to finished structure is seamless for every customer.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 15 years
Simon is one of the expert hands responsible for bringing First Tunnels designs to life in gardens and commercial plots across the country. As a professional Constructor, Simon specialises in the technical assembly of our structures, turning a kit of high-tensile steel and specialised polythene into a high-performance growing environment.
Craftsmanship & Technical Skill
On-Site Excellence: Simon’s role requires a unique blend of construction precision and horticultural understanding. Whether he is working on a domestic 6ft wide polytunnel or a 30ft wide polytunnel, Simon ensures that the framework is perfectly levelled, the anchors are secure, and most importantly the cover is "drum tight." His expertise in cover tensioning is what ensures a First Tunnels structure can withstand the best and worst of the British weather.
Experienced Constructor: A familiar face on site, Simon brings over a decade of construction experience to every project. Simon has built polytunnels for a range of clients, including high-profile growers such as Clarkson’s Farm, bringing the same precision and attention to detail to every project regardless of scale.
Problem-Solving in Action
Delivering Excellence: Known for his "can-do" attitude and problem-solving skills, Simon is a familiar face to many of our clients. He works closely with our Construction Manager, Mick Wilson, to ensure that site-specific challenges from uneven terrain to restricted access are managed without compromising the integrity of the build.
For Simon, the job isn’t complete until every client is fully happy with their tunnel, having walked them through their new polytunnel, making sure they feel confident in using their new structure to its fullest potential for many years to come.
Expertise That Drives Innovation
Like the rest of the team, Simon doesn't just build polytunnels; he understands how they work. His feedback from the field is a vital part of our innovation loop, Simon’s dedication to quality is a primary reason why First Tunnels remains the gold standard for durability in the UK.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 5 years
Scott is a vital member of our on-site assembly team, bringing years of practical construction experience to every First Tunnels project. As a specialist Polytunnel Constructor, Scott’s role is defined by technical accuracy and an uncompromising eye for detail. He is one of the experts who travels the length and breadth of the country to ensure that our customers' investments are built to last a lifetime.
Precision for Lasting Protection
Care in every build: Scott ensures that every millimetre of the structure is perfectly aligned, meticulously checking each frame, joint, and foundation, and making adjustments where necessary to guarantee stability, durability, and a flawless finish that meets First Tunnels’ exacting standards.
Protecting Polythene, Ensuring Durability: He is particularly skilled in the anti-hot-spot tape application—crucial steps that protect the longevity of the polythene and ensure a professional, crease-free finish that can handle the toughest UK storms.
Trusted On-Site Partner
Working hand-in-hand with Simon, Scott is known for his efficiency and his ability to communicate complex technical details to our customers in a clear, friendly way. He understands that a polytunnel is a significant addition to any garden or farm, and he takes great pride in leaving every site ready for planting.
Punctual, Dedicated, Reliable: The construction team has earned an excellent reputation on Trustpilot. Customers praise Simon and Scott for their professionalism, punctuality, and tireless work ethic from the moment they arrive on site.
On Site and Online
You may often see Scott featured on our social media pages, as many customers share photos of their polytunnel builds and praise the team for their professionalism, efficiency, and attention to detail. His work is regularly highlighted in these posts, reflecting the trust and satisfaction of the customers he works with. His dedication to quality and teamwork makes him an integral part of First Tunnels’ reputation for reliability and excellence.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 7 years
Will Munro is a highly skilled Polytunnel Constructor who has spent the last seven years perfecting the art of structural assembly for First Tunnels. With nearly a decade of "boots on the ground" experience, Will has seen every type of site condition imaginable from the wind-swept hills of Scotland to the tightest of urban allotments, giving him the expertise to handle any installation challenge with ease.
The Art of the Perfect Build
Will is renowned within the team for his meticulous approach to the "critical path" of construction. He specialises in the precision alignment of our high-tensile steel frames and the intricate fitting of specialised door systems and ventilation kits.
Master of the Perfect Tension: Seven years in the field have given him an instinctive feel for polythene tensioning; he knows exactly how to achieve that signature "drum tight" First Tunnels finish that ensures longevity and maximum light transmission for the plants inside.
Dedication to Quality
Will plays a key role in mentoring newer team members and upholding the rigorous quality standards that James Barker and the director’s demand. He is a firm believer in the "First Tunnels way"—which means no shortcuts and a total commitment to customer satisfaction.
Built to Look and Last: Whether he’s working on a hobbyist’s 10ft polytunnel or a 90ft commercial polytunnel, Will’s goal is always the same: a structure that looks great and performs even better.
Setting the Standard in Construction
With nearly a decade of "boots on the ground" experience, Will has seen every type of site condition imaginable from the wind-swept hills of Scotland to the tightest of urban allotments—giving him the expertise to handle any installation challenge with ease. From a young age, he gained experience in construction and horticultural projects, developing a strong foundation in practical problem-solving, precision work, and site management. Today, he takes the lead within his construction team, guiding colleagues on complex builds, coordinating workflows, and ensuring that every polytunnel is installed to First Tunnels’ exacting standards for durability, functionality, and client satisfaction.
Polytunnel Industry Experience: 2 years
As a key member of the First Tunnels Construction Service, Phill Wilson is part of an elite team of experts responsible for bringing polytunnel projects to life across the UK. With a focus on professional assembly and structural integrity, Phill’s work ensures that every tunnel from domestic garden setups to expansive commercial structures is built to the highest industry standards.
Expertise in On-Site Construction
Phill operates within a dedicated group of professional constructors, his role involves traveling directly to customer sites to manage the complexity of a polytunnel build, transforming a pallet of steel and polythene into a functional growing environment.
Structural Framework Assembly: Expertly handling the Z35 high-tensile galvanized steel hoops to ensure the "spine" of the tunnel is perfectly aligned.
Advanced Cover Tensioning: Mastering the art of creating a "drum-tight" finish on the polythene, which is essential for the structure's longevity and resistance to extreme weather.
From Parts to Polytunnel
Attention to Detail: From the placement of the P-clips to the trimming of the battening on the door frames, Phill ensures every finishing touch is perfect.
Efficiency: He can transform a pallet of parts into a fully functional 10ft or 14ft wide polytunnel in a fraction of the time it would take a novice.
Strong Foundations, Flawless Finish
A top tip from Phill: A polytunnel is only as good as its foundation. If the tubes are aligned and level, the rest of the build will fall into place. Spend the extra time getting the 'foundations’ right and the cover will look smooth and taut when it's finished.
First Tunnels is proud to be an Accredited Living Wage employer, meaning we are committed to paying all employees at least the Living Wage. We ensure that all casual workers engaged directly by the First Tunnels are paid at least the Living Wage. We believe we are the first and only Polytunnel supplier in the UK to achieve this accreditation, and as such are delighted to be leading the way.
By paying the real Living Wage employers are voluntarily taking a stand to ensure their employees can earn a wage which is enough to live on. That basic fairness is at the heart of the Living Wage campaign is trying to achieve and why great businesses and organisations choose to go further than the government minimum. Paying a wage that is enough to live on is good for business, good for the individual and good for society.
Also being accredited with the Living Hours Foundation is a testament to our commitment to providing fair and secure working conditions for all our employees. This prestigious accreditation recognises our dedication to offering guaranteed hours and predictable shifts, ensuring that our team members can plan their lives with confidence and stability. By meeting the rigorous standards set by the Living Hours Foundation, we demonstrate our belief in the importance of work-life balance and our ongoing efforts to support the well-being and financial security of our workforce. We are proud to be part of a movement that values and respects the contributions of every employee.
