SHEFFIELD & ROTHERHAM WILDLIFE TRUST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Our Patron and Board of Trustees
Chris Tomson trained at Seale Hayne Agricultural College to HND (Agricultural Subjects) level. 1972 to 1976 and then worked on farms in West Germany, Western Australia and Devon.
From 1979 -1999 Chris was the Farms Manager on the 5,000 acre Broomhead Estate in the Ewden Valley, which was followed by six years at the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) in the Farm and Countryside Service developing conservation plans for farmers and landowners.
Whilst at the PDNPA Chris was seconded for a year to United Utilities to draw up conservation plans for their Peak District tenanted farms under OFWAT's Sustainable Catchment Management Plans (SCaMP) scheme. This was followed by 13 years at the RSPB based in Denby Dale as the Farm Conservation Adviser for Yorkshire and Humber working with private landowners, Natural England, Forestry Commission and National Park and AONB's etc.
Since September 2019 Chris has been working as a self-employed independent conservation adviser with clients across Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and the Peak District National Park working with farms and Estates developing Countryside Stewardship applications, woodland creation plans, rewilding projects and wildlife surveying. Chris also works with Defra as a facilitator under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for a group of 25 farmers in the Yorkshire Wolds with the aim of achieving landscape scale conservation.
Chris has also been working on Defra's Test and Trials for ELMS with farmers in the Peak District and Wentworth Estate.
Job Titles:
- Our Patron and Board of Trustees
Scott is Senior Catchment Manager at the Trent Rivers Trust and has always been passionate about natural history, wildlife and conservation - particularly anything wet. He has a long-standing relationship with the Wildlife Trust movement, joining Cheshire Wildlife Trust as a "Wildlife Watch" member in his youth, then volunteering with them after leaving school. Following his PhD in climate change ecology, his career path has seen him hold positions in private, public and charitable sectors - with conservation remaining the thread throughout.
Scott has a broad ecological knowledge but is specialised in aquatic ecology and was previously Living Rivers Programme Manager at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, overseeing the conservation and recovery of rivers across the county. His current role sees him develop landscape-scale restoration projects to help deliver improvements in biodiversity, water quality and ecosystem processes. He is a firm advocate in restoring natural processes - particularly within rivers.
When not paddling and poking around in streams for work purposes, Scott can be found paddling and poking around in streams in his spare time with his partner and two small girls. Scott is a firm believer in ensuring good access to "blue" and "green" space - whether it's an urban or rural environment - allowing everyone to have that connectivity with nature and wildlife that inspired him as a child.
Job Titles:
- Trainer
- Our Patron and Board of Trustees
As a Sheffield resident of 15 years, Dr Laird has a keen sense of nature around her. This has been enriched through conservation activities with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust. These have included working on nature-based solutions to the climate emergency, such as the Limb Valley leaky dam project to reduce flooding in Sheffield.
Dr Laird also participates in Nature Recovery Sheffield as a representative and former director of South Yorkshire Climate Alliance, comprising a partnership of organisations addressing the climate emergency. Nature Recovery Sheffield is an initiative of the Wildlife Trust which brings together community-based groups to work jointly on protecting and restoring the natural environment.
A member of the Environmental Sustainability Sub-Committee of her University's Executive Board, Siobhan is responsible for implementing a strategic delivery plan across four campuses and serving a community of over 50,000 students and staff. This involves oversight of a complex portfolio of operational plans to create, maintain and enhance environmental sustainability.
Apart from positions of strategic management, Dr Laird is also an approved trainer in carbon literacy and has rolled out interactive workshops to many community groups to support people to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in daily life.
Additionally, as a qualified social worker, researcher and trainer, Siobhan have expertise in safeguarding, obtaining funding and impact evaluation. She also regularly delivers training sessions on discrimination and social exclusion and will be contributing to the engagement of Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust with diverse communities.
Job Titles:
- Our Patron and Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Our Patron and Board of Trustees
Helen had been searching for a trustee role within an organisation that aligns with her values, and says she is thankful that an opportunity arose within Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust.
Having been a trustee previously, Helen is aware of what is expected and brings a wide range of skill sets and knowledge to support working towards a better and green future involving nature.
Helen always strives to have a positive impact, shown through her daily work as HR Senior Manager for Wickersley Partnership Trust based in Rotherham, covering 13 schools focusing on staff development and talent in order to deliver a high standard of education.
She also volunteers as the chair of Rotherham Climate Action, supported by Friends of The Earth, whose aims are to spread awareness of climate change and educate others in a way that allows them to make an informed choice not only benefiting the environment, but our local diverse community as well.
Job Titles:
- Our Patron and Board of Trustees
Holly is passionate about protecting the natural environment in both her professional and personal life. As a Senior Climate Change Policy Advisor for the Environment Agency Holly leads on the decarbonisation of the water industry, growth of a renewable underground heat sector and nature-based solutions to meet the UK's Net Zero 2050 commitment
Holly brings extensive experience of environmental legislation & regulation, plus technical knowledge of water quality, hydrogeology, land management, peatland restoration and natural capital. Over the years Holly has established effective networks and participated in working groups with government, stakeholders and local communities.
A frequent volunteer at several Wildlife Trusts across South Yorkshire, Holly enjoys doing what she can in her spare time. She has also volunteered in Madagascar, researching the impact of climate change in a biodiversity hotspot, and planted trees at Tahiry Honko, the world's largest mangrove "blue carbon" conservation project.
Holly says she is fortunate enough to live in Redmires, next to Wyming Brook Nature Reserve, and experience our unique wildlife first hand. She is keen to use my experience to ensure other people can also enjoy the numerous benefits of our local environment and wildlife and protect it for generations to come.
Job Titles:
- Our Patron and Board of Trustees
James Hall states he has been lucky to visit and explore many of the most beautiful places in the world, particularly whilst cycle touring in South America (two trips totalling 15 months and 20,000 km).
"I have also witnessed the human raping and destruction of our various habitats, highlighting the increasingly urgent need to preserve and protect our nature and biodiversity," says James. "This protection is equally important on our own doorstep and, through my volunteering work with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust I have come to appreciate their important role in this."
James adds that arguably one of the best chances our ecosystems have is through organisations such as Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust enabling and helping the public to reconnect with nature, not only on the reserves it manages but also in our advisory and petitioning capacities.
Prior to taking early retirement to pursue a more varied life, James spent over 25 years working for the NHS as a hospital doctor (including 13 years as a Consultant Urological Surgeon). Within his work he undertook a variety of leadership, training and selection roles which are useful in his position of a Trustee.
Job Titles:
- Our Patron and Board of Trustees
A nature lover with a strong background in health, social enterprise, community development and operational management, Kris has been lucky enough to work across health and social care, public health, voluntary and community, education, housing and commercial sectors at local, regional and national levels. This has given Kris a broad perspective which she brings to my practice which has always been focussed on tackling social inequality. She is also a qualified business coach and holds a master's degree in Leadership and Innovation.
Specialising in collaborative approaches, Kris currently leads on the development of a number of creative and community projects in Rotherham. As a result, she brings strong relationships with community partners in Rotherham at both a strategic and community level. Through working as a senior operational manager in the public and voluntary sector Kris has extensive experience in all aspects of strategic leadership including strong financial acumen and effective human resource management.
Outside of work, Kris enjoys spending time with family and friends. She gets involved in activities such as walking, running or cycling in the hills and woods in and around Sheffield and Rotherham.
Kris states she is greatly concerned by the severe loss of natural habitats and the steep decline in wildlife on both a local and global scale and being a Trustee is one of ways she is trying to play her part and take action to make a positive change for our planet.
A strong advocate of local activism, Kris offers time and skills to support the Trust in its aim to create a vibrant living landscape which is valued and encouraged to thrive for future generations. During her first three year term, Kris has been an active member of the board and finance committee and supported the Trust to develop our approach to working collaboratively with communities.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of the Patron and Board of Trustees Team
A solicitor specialising in advising pension scheme trustees and their sponsoring companies, Mark Ridler has also acted as an independent trustee of pension schemes.
Earlier in his career he specialised in company and commercial law and he has been a partner in law firms in Sheffield and Leeds. He is currently a legal director working from home in Sheffield and an office in Manchester. Mark has lived in Sheffield since 1988, having previously studied at the University of Sheffield.
Mark has always had an interest in wildlife and recently became involved in environmental campaigns, particularly the Smithy Wood campaign, and wishes to use his experience in trust and business law, as well as his enthusiasm for conservation, to further the objectives of the Wildlife Trust.
Job Titles:
- Our Patron and Board of Trustees
Having been interested in wildlife and enjoying walking locally for many years, Mary joined Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust in 2020 and has since been impressed by the knowledge and dedication of the staff and volunteers she has met.
A volunteer ranger at Blacka Moor; Mary also occasionally participates in the Land management team to help with other varied tasks. She states she is loving learning more about nature and conservation and want to help protect the environment.
When Mary saw that SRWT were looking for new trustees, including with safeguarding professional experience, she thought this is a good opportunity to use her professional experience and knowledge to help the Trust.
Mary qualified as a social worker in 1989 and retired in September 2020 having worked in various management roles including for disabled children and most recently head of service for children in care provision. As well as safeguarding, Mary brings skills in decision making, budget management, working in partnership with others, matters related to Human resources and promoting an inclusive, positive and respectful learning culture across services. Mary is also the Welfare Officer for her local tennis club.
Job Titles:
- Our Patron and Board of Trustees
Sarah is a longstanding member and supporter of Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust and its aims, particularly to protect and create wildlife sites and green spaces and also to ensure that more people in the local area have opportunities to connect with nature. Sarah say she sees the Trust's work to encourage more biodiversity in habitats for plants, insects, birds and mammals as essential to prevent further loss of valuable species.
Having lived in Heeley, Sheffield, for nearly forty years and a keen walker, Sarah knows much of the area covered by the Trust very well. Sarah has recently retired as professor of property law at Sheffield University, and is enjoying spending more time outside!
Sarah will contribute time and commitment to furthering Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust's aims, as well as her relevant expertise and experience, including interpreting land ownership documents, and making sense of legislation and policies about planning and the environment.
Sarah is experienced in trust governance, having been since 2012 a trustee of Heeley Development Trust which manages a network of neighbourhood green spaces for the benefit of local people. She also brings an interest in strengthening the Trust's links with the academic community, and with local government.