Meet the Team

Jon Blake - Director

Jon is 44 years of age, is married to Jill and they have 2 young children. Jon has been involved in the pest control industry for 21 years and has had other successful businesses. He set up Abate 12 years ago and has expanded the business to its current, successful position in the pest control industry.

Jon’s hobbies are playing darts, going to the gym and charity work.  In July, he rowed non-stop on a Concept 2 rowing machine on his own for 3 hours and 10 minutes rowing the Marathon (26 miles).  He raised approximately £1,500 for a local cancer charity Star Throwers in Wymondham.  The darts team he plays for is a charity organisation and in the past 10 years or so, has raised more than £20,000 going to chosen local people who need the money most.

Future ambitions are to row the English Channel and back in one day for charity; to grow a successful, vibrant pest control business throughout East Anglia offering clients a personal tailored service with the emphasis on being proactive, informative and helpful at all times ensuring cost is also a key element of our industry.

Ian Parkinson - Service Manager

Ian is 43 years young! is single and has two children. Ian joined Abate almost 7 years ago and joined from a background of military and security work.

Ian is in charge of all the company’s day-to-day operations, dealing with staff, phone calls and email enquiries, servicing, vans, stores and administration.  He also carries out inspections on premises which is an added quality assurance we offer to clients who require such for their suppliers.

In Ian’s spare time he helps train and recruit juveniles in military and self-defence which inspires self-worth and learning to be part of a team working towards goals and achievements.

Terry is 50 and is married to Sally.  He has been in the pest control industry for 23 years and has successfully accumulated vast amounts of technical knowledge.  Like Ian, Terry has also been with Abate for almost 7 years.

Terry is involved with all our Company’s in-house training and sets out exams when we recruit.  He carries out QA inspections along with dealing with all of our ISO 9001 requirements and standards.

He is reputed within the Company as our quickest member of staff which can be verified by different constabularies throughout East Anglia!

Terry likes to keep fit, enjoys classic car shows and rallies and general DIY.

Richard is 47.  He has been with Abate for over 4 years and also plays a valuable role in our great team. Richard has 26 years horticultural and biotechnology experience in biological science research.

He is a highly qualified pest controller in our team who has many various certificates in pest control and horticultural treatments.

Richard is our hobby-mad man!  Cycling, country sports, fishing, gardening, eating out and enjoying music to name but a few.

Tim Reading – Service Technician

Tim is 49 and is married to Fiona and has 3 children. Tim is our newest member of Abate joining us 2 years ago and he’s grown to be a great part of our team. 

He is the brains of the Company having achieved a BSC in environmental science.  He also has A-levels in maths, biology and chemistry. 

Tim was involved in office work and game-keeping along with other service industries before joining Abate.

He is deeply involved in football with his children, the countryside and reading.

Jill Blake – Company Secretary

Jill is the youngest member of the team and works in the office part-time carrying out administrative and accounting duties.

The rest of her time is consumed in the raising and running around after her and Jon’s 2 young children while her hubby grows his empire!

Hobbies – a fond memory...  Jill loves to cook and is one of Pampered Chef’s favourite customers!

Peter is 59 and married to Sylvia.  He is our wise owl and has been involved with Abate for 8 years.

Peter is involved with maintenance and helping staff out whenever necessary.  He has vast experience in customer liason and human resources.

Peter has found the paintbrush and his massively artistic hobby has found him producing some very impressive masterpieces.

He is also involved in big charity functions and has also helped manage to raise several thousands of pounds to local good causes.