Katie is the founder and owner of KBN Reptiles and has dedicated her life to working with and caring for animals. After studying Animal Care at Moreton Morrell College, she gained valuable experience working in a variety of animal-related roles, including pet shops, Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm, and a specialist fish and reptile shop before fulfilling her dream of opening KBN Reptiles in 2011.

Her passion for animals began at an early age, inspired by countless countryside walks with her dad, Nigel, searching for butterflies, insects and other wildlife while learning about the natural world. It was a little grasshopper named Gary that truly sparked her lifelong fascination with reptiles and invertebrates.

With over 20 years of reptile keeping experience and working professionally with reptiles since 2003, Katie has developed extensive knowledge across many aspects of reptile husbandry, including snakes, lizards, chelonians and a variety of invertebrates. Millipedes and jumping spiders remain two of her favourite groups to work with.

In 2025, Katie was honoured to be invited to join the board of REPTA (Reptile and Exotic Pet Trade Association), helping to represent independent reptile shops across the UK and promote responsible reptile keeping.

Today, Katie's passion remains exactly the same as when she first opened KBN Reptiles—to educate, support and inspire people to provide the very best care for their animals. When she's not at the shop, you'll usually find her reading a good book, watching films or relaxing on the sofa with the dogs.

Ash first discovered KBN Reptiles in 2015 after moving to the area with his family. A regular visitor to the shop, his passion for reptiles quickly grew and, in 2017, he asked if he could volunteer one day a week to gain hands-on experience. Before long, he became our Saturday assistant while studying Science at college.

After finishing college, Ash spent even more time volunteering at KBN and, as his confidence and knowledge grew, he realised that working with reptiles was the career he wanted to pursue. In 2019, he joined the team full-time as an apprentice through Moreton Morrell College, successfully completing his apprenticeship in 2022.

Ash's dedication and enthusiasm saw him promoted to Assistant Manager in October 2022. He has a particular passion for snakes and has played a key role in developing and caring for KBN's breeding collection. He also manages our ever-growing invertebrate section, where his favourite animals are undoubtedly the tarantulas.

Outside of work, Ash enjoys playing World of Warcraft, collecting Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit memorabilia, and spending time with the dogs.

Nigel is Katie's dad and has been a valued part of the KBN Reptiles team for many years. You'll usually find him sitting next to the livefood shelves, where he takes great pride in maintaining the high standards of our livefood and ensuring every delivery meets our quality expectations. If you'd like advice on keeping your livefood alive for longer, Nigel is always happy to share his tips and experience.

Nigel plays an important role behind the scenes, preparing our substrates, branches and bark for sale, while making sure every product leaving the shop meets the high standards we pride ourselves on.

Outside of KBN Reptiles, Nigel spends much of his time at Leamington Football Club, where he helps maintain the pitch and cares for the local wildlife. A lifelong wildlife enthusiast, he's always happy to chat about feeding garden birds, hedgehogs and other native wildlife.

Scrappy joined Katie and Ash in April 2024 after his previous owner sadly lost her home and was no longer able to keep him. With no one able to offer him a new home, Katie and Ash welcomed him into their family, and he's been part of KBN Reptiles ever since.

Originally bred for the meat trade, Scrappy has had a difficult start in life and suffers from separation anxiety, so you'll usually find him "working" alongside the team every day. He even has his own KBN work uniform, which he wears with pride!

Although Scrappy is a gentle, affectionate boy, he can sometimes be wary of unfamiliar people and isn't afraid to let everyone know with a loud bark. He's learning that meeting new people can be a positive experience, and we'd love your help.

If you'd like to say hello, you'll find a treat tub on the counter. You're very welcome to give Scrappy a treat – every positive interaction helps him build confidence and learn that people aren't so scary after all.

Scrappy is proof that, with patience, kindness and understanding, every animal deserves a second chance.

Debbie is Katie's mum and helps out in the shop every Thursday. She plays an important role behind the scenes, helping to feed many of our animals, keeping the shop clean and organised, and—perhaps most importantly—making sure the team is well fed!

Always happy to stop for a chat, Debbie loves welcoming customers and is a friendly face around the shop. If you hear Nigel calling her name, it's probably because she's dropped something... again!

Behind the laughter, Debbie has been a constant source of support throughout KBN's journey. Without her encouragement, hard work and unwavering support, none of us would be where we are today.

She may not like the spotlight, but Debbie is a huge part of what makes KBN feel like home.

Jess first joined KBN Reptiles in August 2022 as a work placement student from Moreton Morrell College. After a year of hard work and enthusiasm, she officially became part of the team in August 2023, joining us every Saturday while continuing her studies.

Jess has a real passion for animals and enjoys learning about the care of a wide variety of species as she completes her third year at college. At home, she cares for two snails, a colony of woodlice, a jumping spider called Gerry, a terrapin, two cats and a dog—proof that her love of animals doesn't stop when she leaves work!

When she's not at KBN Reptiles or studying, Jess enjoys reading, with horror novels being her favourite. She's always keen to expand her knowledge and is becoming an increasingly valued member of the KBN team.

Onyx is Katie's Collie cross and joined the family in late 2018 after being rescued from the streets of Romania through Love Underdogs. Before being rescued, Onyx had been hit by a car, but thankfully she made a full recovery.

Although she can still struggle with anxiety and lacks confidence around new people, her sister Poppy helped her enormously, showing her that people can be kind and helping her grow into the wonderful dog she is today.

When she's not relaxing at home, Onyx loves spending time exploring the garden and absolutely adores her Grandad, Nigel.

Hilda is a Golden Retriever cross who belongs to Katie and Ash. Like Onyx, she was rescued from the streets of Romania through Love Underdogs.

After arriving in the UK, Hilda was rehomed with a family in London. Sadly, she escaped and spent four months surviving alone on a rubbish tip before she was eventually found. During that time, she was hit by a car, but thankfully made a full recovery.

Hilda joined the family in 2021 and, although she still struggles with anxiety and can be very shy around new people, she has made incredible progress. With the help of her brother Scrappy and her sisters Onyx and Poppy, she has gradually learned to trust again and is becoming the happy, affectionate "yellow dog" she was always meant to be.

Even though she's still very nervous, Hilda loves coming to work with the team. You'll often spot her quietly watching customers from a safe distance, taking everything in while continuing to build her confidence.

When she feels comfortable, Hilda has the gentlest nature and loves spending time with her family. Every day she grows a little more confident, proving that patience, kindness and love really can change a life.