About the Swell Reptiles Team
At Swell, everything we do is thanks to the hard work and dedication of the people behind the scenes. From our customer advisors and product experts to our warehouse and shop staff, it takes a great team to keep things running smoothly. We’re more than just a business, we’re a community of people who genuinely care about the animals and habitats our products support.
Our team includes experienced aquatics and reptile specialists, customer care advisors, and fulfilment professionals. Whether it’s helping you build a self-sustaining terrarium, troubleshoot water quality, or choose the right heat lamp, we’re here to offer honest advice and helpful support. We're proud to say that our advice doesn't come from a script, it comes from real experience.
The People Behind the Scenes
Whilst we’re only showing a few faces here, each one represents a different part of our team, from customer care to the shop floor, the office and the warehouse. Every colleague at Swell plays an important role in making sure our customers receive the support, products and service they need. We couldn’t do it without them.
Phil Jones
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Phil is a long-time aquarium hobbyist with deep knowledge of fishkeeping. He leads the Swell team with a passion for animals and a commitment to delivering great service.
Nicole Higgs
OFFICE MANAGER
Nicole has worked across multiple departments and knows the business inside out. She’s the person everyone turns to for support and helps keep the office running smoothly.
Stephen Bradley
SUPERSTORE MANAGER
Our shop manager runs our superstore and helps customers daily. Whether giving product advice or guiding first-time pet owners, he brings experience and a true passion for animal care.
Radek
WAREHOUSE MANAGER
Radek runs the warehouse and makes sure your orders are packed carefully and sent out on time. He works behind the scenes to help your delivery arrive as expected.
Who Writes Our Help Guides
At Swell, we believe that helpful advice starts with real experience. That’s why our help guides are written by members of our team who know the products, the pets, and the questions that come with them. Some are lifelong hobbyists, others work directly with our customers every day, all of them care about giving you advice you can trust.
Jeremy Gay
With over 25 years of experience in the marine aquatic and exotic-pet world, Jeremy is a seasoned expert whose passion for fishkeeping spans retail, wholesale, manufacturing, publishing, distribution, marketing, and livestock import. A lifelong fishkeeper, he’s written three authoritative books, including the highly rated The Perfect Aquarium, and is a prominent voice in the industry. Jeremy served as editor at Practical Fishkeeping magazine (previously deputy and now former editor), and has been UK editor for Reefbuilders and a key contributor to Koi Carp and Gardener’s World magazines. He’s appeared on TV and radio, reviewed and developed aquatic products, judged at industry awards, and led wildlife expeditions in Sri Lanka and the Amazon.
Will Newton
Will is a PhD researcher at the University of Manchester, specialising in fossil fish palaeontology. With academic degrees in Geology and Palaeontology, he combines scientific knowledge with a lifelong passion for aquatics. Will is also known for his stunning home aquarium setups, helping fellow fishkeepers design and maintain thriving, beautiful tanks. As a lifelong aquarist and skilled aquascaper, Will blends technical knowledge with creative flair, supporting hobbyists in building their dream aquariums. Will’s writing has featured in respected publications like BBC Wildlife and BBC Science Focus, where he shares insights on aquatic life, evolution, and the natural world.
Lucy Sharp
Lucy is a dedicated axolotl keeper with a keen interest in aquatic care and habitat design, creating small bioactive terrariums filled with live plants, carefully selected substrates, and custom hardscape elements. She combines creativity with hands-on knowledge to design thriving, naturalistic setups. Her deep understanding of aquatic and reptile products comes from her experience writing detailed listings at Swell. Lucy knows how each piece of equipment contributes to a successful tank or enclosure, and she’s always thinking about how to make things easier for customers, helping people find the right equipment and feel more confident in their choices.
Becky Bates
Becky Bates has a degree in zoology and is a lifelong animal lover with a special interest in reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. As an experienced reptile keeper, she has developed extensive hands-on expertise caring for a diverse range of exotic species over many years. By combining her strong academic background with practical knowledge gained through dedication, Becky offers trusted, insightful advice to help others provide the best possible care and quality of life for their animals.
All guides >
Fran Marshall
Fran is an experienced reptile keeper with a special passion for geckos. Her deep knowledge of reptile care comes from years of hands-on experience, making her a trusted source of advice for fellow keepers.
She also brings valuable insight into the aquatic and reptile industry through her extensive understanding of essential products and their practical uses. Fran combines her love for reptiles with her expertise in product knowledge to help hobbyists choose the right gear and provide the best care for their animals.
Will Newton
Will is a PhD researcher at the University of Manchester, specialising in fossil fish palaeontology. With academic degrees in Geology and Palaeontology, he combines scientific knowledge with a lifelong passion for aquatics. Will is also known for his stunning home aquarium setups, helping fellow fishkeepers design and maintain thriving, beautiful tanks.
As a lifelong aquarist and skilled aquascaper, Will blends technical knowledge with creative flair, supporting hobbyists in building their dream aquariums.
Will’s writing has featured in respected publications like BBC Wildlife and BBC Science Focus, where he shares insights on aquatic life, evolution, and the natural world.
Lucy Sharp
Lucy is a dedicated axolotl keeper with a keen interest in aquatic care and habitat design, creating beautiful small bioactive terrariums filled with lush plants. She combines creativity with hands-on knowledge to design thriving, naturalistic setups.
Her deep understanding of aquatic products comes from years of experience writing detailed guides and listings at Swell. Lucy knows how each piece of equipment contributes to a successful tank or enclosure, and she enjoys helping others make informed choices.
Her love of animals and eye for detail make her a go-to source for practical, accessible advice.
Lucy Sharp
Lucy is a dedicated axolotl keeper with a keen interest in aquatic care and habitat design, creating beautiful small bioactive terrariums filled with lush plants. She combines creativity with hands-on knowledge to design thriving, naturalistic setups.
Her deep understanding of aquatic products comes from years of experience writing detailed guides and listings at Swell. Lucy knows how each piece of equipment contributes to a successful tank or enclosure, and she enjoys helping others make informed choices.
Her love of animals and eye for detail make her a go-to source for practical, accessible advice.
Join the team
If you'd like to join the team, we'd love to hear from you. Please send us a copy of your CV and a letter telling us why you think you'd make a good addition to our team and we'll get back to you. You can contact us at [email protected].