WESSEX RIVERS TRUST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Catchment Partnership Manager
Alex manages communications at Wessex Rivers Trust, raising awareness of river conservation through digital content, newsletters, social media, and stakeholder engagement. She crafts strategic messaging to inspire public and corporate support for healthier rivers.
Amy supports the habitat team with the development, preparation, and delivery of a range of river conservation projects.
Amy has a BSc (Hons) Degree in Environmental Science and has 13 years' experience in conservation and environmental education. She has taught a wide range of environmental topics to children in early years education all the way up to adult groups. In recent years Amy established and managed her own business in environmental education and outdoor play whilst qualifying as a Forest School Leader. Before this Amy managed two large community engagement projects for the Wildlife Trusts and worked on many others. Amy manages our school delivery programme, community engagement projects and our social media presence!
Andy has a BSc in Environmental Science and a postgraduate degree in Biodiversity and Conservation. He has a background in ecological consultancy, primarily focusing upon water environment projects for public and private sector clients. Previous works range from the co-delivery of CIEEM national crayfish training courses to the development and delivery of EU funded LIFE projects. Within the Trust Andy predominantly works across the Test & Itchen catchments, engaging with stakeholders and partners to identify and deliver river and floodplain restoration projects. Andy also leads on the Trust's protected species surveys, holding crayfish and bat licences.
Joining the Trust in 2018, Andy manages the Trusts restoration projects predominantly within the Test & Itchen catchment and leads on ecological survey and monitoring across our region.
Candi provides executive support to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees together with overseeing the Trusts HR function.
Chloe delivers in-school and river bank sessions covering all the catchments on the Isle of Wight.
Clay's professional background is in the software industry, having founded Admiral plc (now part of Logica) in 1979. He is currently non-executive chairman of Anite plc and SThree plc. He is a trustee of Economist Newspapers Ltd, and a non-executive director of Herald Investment Trust plc. He was a former non-executive director of BT, and chairman of the Met Office. He is a riparian owner on the lower Test and is chairman of the Test and Itchen Association.
Job Titles:
- Test and Itchen INNS Project Coordinator
Courtney began working on rivers as a seasonal survey assistant for the Ribble Rivers Trust whilst gaining her IFM diploma. From there Courtney moved up to Galloway in Southwest Scotland to work on the Saving the Sparling Project aiming to increase awareness and reconnect the community with the Sparling, a rare species that was once common around the British Isles. Now Courtney is ready for a bigger challenge, co-ordinating Invasive Non-Native Species removal and monitoring on the Test and Itchen Catchments!
Dave is responsible for the overall strategy and financial management of the Trust, as well as the oversight, development and integration of our delivery programmes. He leads the team and makes sure all work is aligned to the Trust's overall mission. Dave works closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure policies and procedures, both internal and external, are adhered to, and plays an active role in fundraising and major project liaison. He works collaboratively with a host of partners and stakeholders, chairing various groups, and generally flying the flag for rivers, catchments, and the wider environment of Wessex.
David is a retired Chartered Accountant previously practicing with an independent firm of accountants in Chandlers Ford as a director specialising in audit and accountancy. David qualified as an accountant in 1985 and has since then worked for large, medium-sized and small accountancy practices in London and on the South Coast. He grew up close to the Lower Test where he spend a great deal of time during his formative years. He is a keen birdwatcher and fisherman, albeit not especially proficient at the latter, as well as being very interested in wildlife and conservation in general.
David's background is in Science and Engineering and in 2016 he changed career to become a teacher. He has a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Science), is a Hampshire Outdoor Leader and a Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Leader. As a wild swimmer, kayaker and amateur sailor, David spends much of his free time in or around Wessex Rivers. David is keen to inspire young conservationists, highlight the importance of biodiversity conservation and promote the protection of our remaining natural resources. He is passionate about wildlife, ecology and conservation and is eager to share this with the next generation through river education sessions with the Trust
Dave spent 33 years with IBM research and development, technical, management and executive roles. He sat on the Council of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council for eight years. He was awarded a CBE in 2017 for services to Engineering and Science research. Dave's background is in physical geography, with his PhD examining the effects of large aquatic plants on water flow in chalk streams. His fieldwork centred on the River Ebble in Wiltshire. Throughout his life he has maintained a keen interest in the geomorphology and hydrology of watercourses. He is passionate about the need to encourage good practice in catchment management.
For the past 27 years, Gary has been Chief Executive of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. He has a degree in ecology from Lancaster University and a doctorate from the Open University where he studied fish farming. He was previously Head of Urban Ecology at Greenwich University and National Officer for a government initiative called UK2000. UK2000 brought together the private, voluntary and public sector in order to tackle environmental problems. In 2000 he was awarded an MBE for services to nature conservation. Gary is also founder and President of The Sensory Trust and a Trustee of the Wild Trout Trust
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Chief Executive of Campaign for National Parks
Rose is Natural England's Principal Specialist for People and the Environment. Rose leads the social science function in Natural England and specialises in behaviour change. Prior to joining Natural England, Rose held roles in local government and at WWF where she led the UK water programme, working with government, water companies and catchment partnerships. Rose has a PhD in environmental science and a passion for rivers. Rose is also a non-executive director of Waterwise, the water efficiency NGO.
Having enjoyed diving whilst studying Animal and Plant Ecology at Loughborough University, Fiona then spent 34 years working for Wessex Water, managing Environmental Services and project managing their freshwater research. Her career included many years representing Wessex Water on water industry steering groups for research and national standards as well as working locally with partners on the Hampshire Avon and developing a pilot project for the new Catchment Based Approach. Fiona continues her interest in river conservation as chair of the Stour and Poole Harbour Catchment Partnerships, the River Restoration Centre and also on the Council of the Freshwater Biological Association
George became a trustee and the chairman of the Wessex Rivers Trust in May 2012. He practiced for 38 years as a corporate lawyer, retiring in late 2012 from the City law firm Slaughter and May. He now farms in the Test valley. He has a strong interest in education and the environment, chairing the governors of Winchester House School in Brackley, Northamptonshire. He is also a trustee of Countryside Learning, a charity which educates inner city children about the countryside, the Wild Trout Trust, Hampshire Gardens Trust and the Wheelyboat Trust, a charity which provides boats for wheelchair users.
Hallam farms in the lower Avon Valley. His farm is predominantly specialist arable crops and dairy run on the New Zealand system with crossbred cows and extensive pasture-based grazing. His interest in rivers was sparked off by very early fishing expeditions in Switzerland. His respect for rivers and water generally stems from an acknowledgement that we know so little for certain about the rich habitat which they support, and he is very keen to do what he can to nurture this diversity. He is also a founder member of the Avon and Stour Riparian owners' Association (ASRA).
Holly is part of our Education Team. She is responsible for delivering our different educational programmes across many of the schools in the Wessex area. She brings her passion for teaching and sustainable education into classrooms and out and about at our riverbank sessions.
In 2024 Isaac finished his masters degree and started his career in conservation with the Wessex Rivers Trust. Isaac assists with designing maps, producing permits, the identification of restoration opportunities and the delivery of practical habitat work where he is most at home.
For the past 30 years Jane has been a Furniture Conservator. Her areas of particular expertise are the restoration of Oriental Lacquer, gilding painted furniture and decorative finishes for some of the foremost antique dealers in the country. She has worked on many large projects including the restorations of Mansion House in the City of London and of Windsor Castle following the fire in 1992. She is a Member of ICON and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. In 2013 she took over the running of her family estate near the New Forest.
Jem had a varied, 38 year career in air traffic control, initially as an RAF officer, then as a civil controller and manager, joining NATS in 1999. In his final role before retiring in 2021, Jem was the Director of NATS' UK Airport business. Throughout this time he pursued his passion for fly fishing whether competing on the big reservoirs, chasing the elusive flats species in the Caribbean or stalking trout on the Rivers Test and Itchen. Jem is a Board member of the Test and Itchen Association and when he's not fishing you'll probably find him either on his bike or in his garden.
Jess is a practising solicitor working in-house in the insurance sector and has extensive experience in negotiating contracts and managing risk. She has expertise in large scale service and outsourcing contracts in the UK and offshore, as well as data protection and privacy, and regulatory compliance. Outside of work Jess enjoys swimming whether in pool, river, lake or sea, pottery and gardening.
Jim retired from Shell Group in 1993, where he held various business management positions in chemicals. He has played an active part in fishery management and nature conservation issues in Hampshire both as Secretary of the Test and Itchen Association (1993-2009) and as a former Chairman of the Hampshire Area Environment Group, the Hampshire Fishery Committee and Southern RFERAC (2002 to 2008). He was also a member of the Moran Committee and sat on the South East River Basin Liaison Panel. Jim is a director of the Test & Itchen Association and a Board member of the Angling Trust.
Job Titles:
- Scientific Officer
- Scientific Officer Volunteer
Jon is a freshwater ecologist by background whose professional life was spent with the UK Natural Environment Research Council. He worked initially for the Freshwater Biological Association, then the Institute of Freshwater Ecology and latterly the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. His key interest is in freshwater invertebrates and the nutrient dynamics of chalk streams. Jon served on the Biodiversity Steering Group for the white clawed crayfish and the Chalk Rivers Steering Group and operates our river temperature loggers. He currently represents Wessex Rivers Trust on the EA SW Liaison Panel, the Stour Catchment Initiative and Steering Group, and the Dorset-wide Monitoring Group.
Jonathan studied fishery management and fish farming at the Hampshire College of Agriculture, now Sparsholt Collage. He has been a director and fishery manager of Timsbury Fishery Limited for 35 years. Jonathan is the Chairman of the Test & Itchen Association and has sat on a variety of Environment Agency Committees. Jonathan has been a director of recreational salmon fishing business in Ireland. He has always taken a strong interest in the environment and the natural world and has a particular interest in green and renewable energy sector.
Jonathan has had a variety of roles away from the Countryside including chairman of Winchester Cathedrals enterprise company for 12 years, a presiding Justice in the Magistrates Court and Youth Court for 30 years and he writes for the Trout and Salmon magazine.
Having graduated from London University in 1993 with a BA Hons, Lee worked in the fast-moving media industry, based in London. In 1997 Lee moved to Manhattan, New York with her husband Andy. They subsequently returned to the UK in 2002. Having taken a career break to focus on and raise their three girls, Lee now uses her communication and organisational skills to help Wessex Rivers Trust across all key areas of administration.
Maddie is a graduate from the University of Southampton with a master's degree in environmental science. She joined the Wessex Rivers Trust in September 2019 as a Trainee Project Officer and has worked on a range of projects across the Wessex RT catchment including river restoration, research and monitoring, engagement, and education. Maddie is keen to apply and develop her skills from university to river restoration and conservation.
Mark's professional background is within communications, he has held senior executive positions within regulators, charities, social enterprises, and the civil service for the last 15+ years. He grew up in North Yorkshire and now lives adjacent to the River Meon, with his young family.
Mark holds FRSA (Royal Society of Arts), MCIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations), studied International Relations at Birkbeck, University of London (CertHE) and Conflict and Development at SOAS (Cert). He is a passionate musician and performer, playing drums, percussion, guitar and singing.
Martijn has a MSc degree in Biology from Utrecht University where he studied fen wetland vegetation and estuarine fish populations. In 2007 Martijn successfully completed a PhD thesis on river floodplain restoration, focussing on the relationship between water and soil quality, nutrient cycling and vegetation. He continued to work as a post-doctoral researcher at Utrecht University for 2 years, before moving to work for a Regional Water Authority in Holland. Since moving to England five years ago Martijn has worked on the Hampshire Avon and other rivers in Wiltshire for Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, where he set-up and managed a successful river restoration team.
Job Titles:
- Project Officer
- Senior Project Officer
Matt graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a BSc (Hons) degree in Environmental Science, during which time he cut his teeth as a volunteer with the Trent Rivers Trust. He went on to work for the Northern District Salmon Fisheries Board on the River Naver in Sutherland. From there he worked for the Northumberland Rivers Trust on a series of fish passage and natural flood management projects before moving south to work as a consultant with Cain Bio-Engineering Ltd. Matt brings with him a passion for the natural world and 10 years' experience of working on a range of river restoration projects.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations
- Head of Project Delivery
Mike has over 10 years' full-time experience in river restoration design and delivery. Mike began his career volunteering for Avon Wildlife Trust, where he helped discover and catalogue the native white-clawed crayfish population that would eventually form the basis of the South West Crayfish Project breeding programme. Mike spent several years as a Site Manager for river restoration consultancy Cain Bio-Engineering Ltd, before becoming a regional Conservation Officer for the Wild Trout Trust. Mike has designed and delivered river restoration projects across Southern England and South Wales, working with various government agencies, NGOs, angling clubs and community groups.
Mike manages the Habitats Team, overseeing the Trust's river restoration and habitat improvement work. He also manages the Trust's operational processes and leads on aspects of procurement, contract management, and health and safety.
Mike retired as a Commander Royal Navy Submarine Weapons Engineer Officer after 34 years' service. He started fishing in Scotland in 1983 and on moving south joined Portsmouth Services Fly Fishing Association (PSFFA), later becoming its Secretary & Treasurer - a post he held for 10 years. During this period Mike became heavily involved with various authorities - especially EA committees working on Catchment Management Plans to meet the Water Framework Directive. For 21 years he has been the Company Secretary for the Services Manor Fishery Ltd on the River Itchen. He is a Director of the Test & Itchen Association.
Monica is a qualified bookkeeper with over 8 years' experience. Her AATQB status demonstrates her commitment to high standards and ethics in accounting. Monica is not only keen to develop her bookkeeping skills while working at the Wessex Rivers Trust, but is keen to learn more about the chalk stream rivers in the Wessex region. Monica is also the part-time bookkeeper for Winchester Rugby Club.
As the Projects Administrator, Natalie's role is to provide administrative support to projects throughout the project lifecycle. She works within the Habitats team to help ensure projects are managed effectively, working with the team on any administration tasks they require, from project start up to claims and other project requirements in-between. This includes creating processes and systems to help projects run smoothly and trying to reduce project risks where possible. She also creates process maps and procedures and helps to implement any improvements. Occasionally assisting with surveys and practical tasks with the team out on sites where required.
After starting his career in the advertising industry, a lifelong love of fish and fishing lead Neil back to education at Sparsholt College where he gained a BSc in Aquaculture and Fishery management. Since then he has spent seven years working for the National Trust, as River Keeper at Mottisfont Abbey on the river Test. During this time Neil was responsible for the practical management of the fishery, overseeing the day-to-day maintenance alongside planning and delivering projects to improve and enhance the chalk stream habitats of the estate.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Retired Chartered Accountant
Paddy is a retired Chartered Accountant who, after qualifying with Price Waterhouse in London, spent thirty years of his working life in private practice in Salisbury where he advised landowners throughout Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset on financial and taxation planning. He remains a trustee of a number of landowning family trusts and charities. He is one of the founding members of Wessex Rivers Trust. He has been a dedicated fisherman from the age of four when he caught a rudd in a farm pond.
Philip initially qualified and practiced as an intellectual property lawyer. He then ran safaris in Nepal and Zambia, before working as a consultant for the World Bank in Tanzania. For the last 18 years Philip has worked for WWF with a focus on funding, supporting and managing large freshwater projects around the world. Now as Deputy Global Lead for Freshwater for WWF International, Philip brings international experience and solutions to address the threats, and opportunities, facing Wessex's rivers.
Hailing from East London, Rae founded Borras Construction in 1980. Several acquisitions later Borras Group is now one of the most successful privately owned companies in this sector. A passionate angler, having fished the canals since he was seven, Rae became captivated by the Hampshire Avon after catching his first salmon from the river. He was later to achieve a lifetime's ambition by owning an important fishery on the same river and is now committed to the cause of promoting the welfare of the southern chalk streams and their ecosystems. Today, Rae is actively involved with TV productions associated with angling.
Rod is an agricultural economist who started his own consulting and market research business in biotechnology after 11 years with the Battelle Memorial Institute. He is involved with the fertiliser and pesticide industries and has developed methodologies to understand the dynamics of weeds, insects and diseases in crops. He is a naturalist and fisherman and has had a rod at Wherwell on the River Test for many years.
Dr Rose O'Neill is Chief Executive of Campaign for National Parks, the only independent charity working to protect and enhance the 13 national parks in England and Wales. Rose has held roles in Natural England, local government and at WWF where she led the national Rivers programme. Rose helped to establish the Catchment Based Approach and was an advisor to its first chalk stream strategy, which calls for all chalk streams to be given enhanced environmental protections. Rose has a PhD in environmental science and a masters in Geochemistry. Rose is happiest splashing about in the Meon with her two young children.
Ross delivers in-school and riverbank sessions. He develops resources that link to the geography and science programmes of the National Curriculum.
An ecologist with several wildlife trusts and now the Environment Agency, Tim is passionate about the conservation of our native wildlife, our landscape, and natural processes, for its own intrinsic value, because it makes life worth living and because it makes life possible. An optimist, famed for his passion and enthusiasm, he is an award-winning chalk stream champion. Tim is also a part-time post graduate research student at the University of Southampton, exploring our deep relationships with chalk stream winterbournes in their naturally flowing, ponding, and drying phases, particularly intrinsic and relational values, through participatory methods. He tweets @RiversandPeople
Job Titles:
- Senior Education Officer / Watercress and Winterbournes Education Officer
Tracy is responsible for delivering the education elements of two projects: the Watercress and Winterbournes Landscape Partnership Scheme, ‘Our River, Our Water' with the Rivers Trust South East and Southern Water.
Job Titles:
- Education and Engagement Manager
Wendy manages the Education and Engagement team including the Trust's Education Officer, Communications Officer, Blue Mentor, River Educators and Work Industry Placements. Wendy oversees all education projects, events and communications. The role also involves coordinating Trust volunteers, securing funding for future work and pushing the development of the team.
In addition, Wendy is the Trust's Designated Safeguarding Lead, responsible for safeguarding and providing the relevant training to volunteers and staff.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Vice Chair of Trustees
Zam has spent the last 25 years in television, initially as a film-editor, subsequently as Managing Director and Chairman and latterly as non-Executive Director of KEO films. This independent factual production company whose varied output has won many awards and includes numberless episodes of the Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall River Cottage series, including the ground-breaking campaigning series' Chicken Out and Hugh's Fish Fight. He enjoys keeping pigs and making ham from them and, having spent much of his life in and around the headwaters of the River Itchen, is passionate about conserving the country's freshwater environment.
Zam spent the first 25 years of his working life making television programmes in a variety of different roles from film-editor to managing director. For the last eight years he has been producing award-winning English sparkling wines with his three siblings from a vineyard planted on land the family have owned for generations. Having spent much of his childhood in and around the headwaters of the River Itchen he is passionate about helping to conserve the country's freshwater environment.