COAST - Key Persons
Aidan joined the COAST team in November 2022, having worked in the charity sector and in leisure management. He is a personal trainer and fan of cold water immersion, so is excited to bring his aquatic expertise and love of the sea to this new role at COAST.
Alastair moved to Arran in 2021 after a career that encompassed academic research, the City and education. His teaching career covered both History and Government & Politics, the latter providing him with useful insights into the way that pressure groups interact with, and seek to influence, governments.
Amy is a senior communications professional with two decades' experience working for international charitable organisations and the public sector, including the World Bank Institute, Scottish Enterprise, Tostan and most recently as the Head of Media and Communications for Mercy Corps. Currently Amy consults for several purpose-led organisations and businesses helping them better communicate social and environmental impact and solutions.
Andrew wrote the original proposal for the South Arran MPA in 2011. He has an MSc in Aquatic Ecosystems Management and a background in community-based natural resource management. He was COAST's Executive Director up to 2017 and again from 2020 to early 2022. He is now focused on organisation support and special projects delivery.
Andy has been involved with COAST for many years, having previously worked as Community Outreach & Admin Officer from 2013-2015 and as more recently as Operations and Finance Officer. A keen diver, sailor and world traveller, he's worked in the marine sector in SE Asia, Australia and New Zealand - this non-stop adventurer is at home as long as he is outdoors!
Anne is a marine biologist who initially worked on pollution monitoring around the UK coast before being seduced by the warm tropics and working on coral reefs. She is now living on Arran and happy to be on this beautiful island. She is interested in all aspects of natural history, from the seabed to the stars.
Catherine and her husband Robin moved to Arran in 1994 to raise their two sons. She's worked in healthcare on the island since moving, and became involved with COAST following the 5 year celebrations of the No Take Zone. Inspired by the knowledge, enthusiasm and dedication of other Trustees, Volunteers and Workers, Catherine is keen to support the ongoing work of COAST to ensure the revival and health of our coastal waters.
Job Titles:
- Scientific Advisor
- Professor Emeritus at the University of Warwick
Charles Sheppard is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Warwick, now living in Arran. A scientists for 50 years, his work in marine science research and conservation has earned him several awards, most notably the OBE and the Zoological Society of London's medal, for work of outstanding importance in conservation, and he has written or edited over 20 books and 300 science and natural history articles.
Cicely moved to Arran in 1968 and has been involved with COAST for about 12 years. Since leaving her job as a psychotherapist in Glasgow she has prioritised her writing, and is currently writing a play about the Clearances in Arran, for performance in Lamlash next year. She believes our actions at COAST are essential in order to push forward the attainment of sustainable seas. She swims in the sea nearly every day.
Claire has a BSc Hons in Marine Zoology from Bangor University. She is a experienced Seasearch diver and assists COAST conduct research around Arran.
Doug Anderson has worked worldwide creating underwater sequences for award winning BBC series such as "The Blue Planet", "Planet Earth" and "Life".
Dr Leigh Howarth, formerly of York University, spent many summers on Arran leading a team of researchers investigating the effects of the Lamlash Bay No Take Zone. You can find his published research papers under the Research section of our website.
Gavin retired from a career as a professional engineer in shipbuilding and the offshore energy industry. He has been attached to the sea for his whole life through both work and play; after being enthralled by Jacque Cousteau as a child, he has now been diving for over 40 years and is an avid sailor and sea kayaker.
Georgina is a keen open water marathon swimmer, a snorkeller and diver. She has a passion for the sea and seeing the other world that lies beneath the waves. Regularly immersing herself in our waters has cemented her strong belief that it's an environment we should look after, respect and engage with and teach others not to be scared of.
A retired ecologist, Graeme has been closed linked to the conservation of Arran's biodiversity, geology and landscapes for the last three decades.
Hayley moved to the island a few years ago and works in the community and is actively interested in the island's marine wildlife through snorkelling and kayaking.
Howard has been diving the seas around Arran and Scotland since 1973; he has an extensive knowledge of the marine environment in the Clyde has created a photographic and video archive of Arran marine life. Howard was COAST's chair for 10 years before stepping down in 2018, before retiring from the Board at the end of 2023. Howard received the Goldman Environmental Prize in April 2015 for his work with COAST and was awarded an OBE for services to the marine environment in 2015.
Howard was born in 1954 and has lived on the Isle of Arran since the age of 14. He has been diving the seas around Arran and Scotland since 1973. Since 2003 he has spent the majority of his time volunteering with COAST. He has an extensive knowledge of the marine environment in the Clyde has created a photographic and video archive of Arran marine life.
Howard was COAST's chair for 10 years before stepping down in 2018. He was involved in writing marine management proposals to the Scottish Government, including the final Arran Marine Regeneration Trial proposal of February 2005. These led to the creation of a No Take Zone in Lamlash Bay designated in 2008. He was also a key primary source of marine survey records supporting the COAST South Arran Marine Protected Area proposal designated in 2014. Since designation he has led baseline surveys of the area. He has attended many meetings with Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, Marine Scotland and fishermens' associations and has also appeared before Parliamentary Committees on a number of occasions.
Howard received the Goldman Environmental Prize in April 2015 for his work with COAST and was awarded an OBE for services to the marine environment in 2015.
Job Titles:
- Outreach and Comms Manager
After volunteering with COAST for her MSc in Marine Environmental Management, Jenny joined the staff team in early 2016 and now manages our outreach, education and communications. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in public engagement, she loves passing on her passion of the marine environment to people from all walks of life.
Born on Arran and former fisherman and retired joiner, Jim is a local historian who remembers Arran's once famous fishing festivals well.
Katy Clark MP was made COAST Ambassador for her invaluable support and help to COAST as our former Westminster MP.
Kenneth Gibson MSP received his COAST Ambassador certificate from Howard Wood for his tireless support to COAST over many years.
Liz has worked in heritage development and fundraising for 18 years. She grew up on the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, surrounded by saltmarshes and big skies, and is looking forward to combining her love of the coast and her professional skills at COAST.
Lucy has worked on marine protected areas and marine management in the UK, south east Asia and the Pacific. She has been fortunate to visit and dive in marine reserves in many different places and is enthusiastic about realising the benefits of marine protected areas for wildlife and people.
Richard leads a local business and instructs scuba diving around the island. A active member of the lifeboat crew, Richard has a true passion for the sea both above and below the waterline.
Ronnie spearheaded the impressive development of the Auchrannie Resort since he co-founded it in 1988 so brings significant local knowledge and financial strategy to our Board.
Ruth worked for Arran Eco Savvy delivering projects on sustainable lifestyles and carbon literacy. It is through this work, along with her interactions with COAST that she has recognised the importance of marine conservation in the fight against climate change.
Simon has worked as a lawyer in Brussels for over twenty five years in the field of EU regulatory law. He has advised COAST on the establishment of the South Arran Marine Protected Area, and on other projects.
Simon is an Arran based Graphic Designer who has worked and volunteered with COAST since 2017. After many years living in Peru, he returned home to Arran where he believes there is huge potential to become more sustainable and self-sufficient. He is a director of the Arran Pioneer Project and created the Arran Green Map.
Tom is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of the West of England, specialising in environmental law. He is a trustee of Blue Marine Foundation and helped COAST establish the public's right to fish and the Lamlash Bay NTZ.
Zabdi runs Flying Fever paragliding school, with her partner Maurice. She is our web designer and technical back-up and works closely with COAST on our campaigns.