Our people

A group of Avon Willdlife Trust staff stand gathered at the top of a grass hill, with a blue sky overhead and smiles on their faces

(C) Abbie Hall

About us

Our people

People are at the heart of Avon Wildlife Trust.

We are extremely grateful for the help of our incredible community of over 18,000 members, 1,000 enthusiastic volunteers, and all our partners, funders and supporters. Our dedicated staff team work with all our community of supporters so that together we can restore nature and enable wildlife to thrive across our region.

Meet the team

If you would like to get in touch, get involved or to find out more about the Trust’s work, our staff team would be delighted to hear from you. *Indicates part-time staff

Chief Executive

Ian Barrett, Chief Executive

(c) JonCraig.co.uk

Ian Barrett, Chief Executive

It’s a real privilege to be leading an organisation full of fantastic people that are focussed on one of the most important issues of our day – bringing back the abundance of wildlife and restoring nature in our area for the benefit of people and wildlife. Partnership working is a big part of my role - I chair the West of England Nature Partnership and lead Bristol’s One City work on tackling the ecological emergency. When I’m not at work, you’ll find me out exploring nature, visiting reserves, walking and canoeing with family and friends.

Nature Reserves & Land Management

Bernie D'Arcy                 Head of Nature Reserves & Land Management

Andy Jones                    Nature Reserves and Projects Manager

Alex Preston                    Nature Reserves and Projects Manager

Fern Elias-Stagg           Nature Reserves & Projects Officer

Hannah Batchelor         Nature Reserves & Projects Assistant

Frances Clinch

Frances Clinch, Nature Reserves and Projects Officer

 

I started with Avon Wildlife Trust in May 2021. I carry out practical land management across our reserves to benefit wildlife and allow safe and enjoyable access to the public. The Living Landscapes team is supported by a large number of dedicated volunteers, and an important and fun part of my role is leading weekly sessions for some of these volunteers out on ours reserves.

I feel so lucky to work in some of the region's most beautiful and important landscapes, alongside people from such a range of backgrounds and varying expertise – I’m constantly learning!

Nature's Recovery

Tim Curley                  Head of Nature's Recovery

Jenny Greenwood    Monitoring & GIS Manager

Luke Grimshaw       Nature-based Solutions Manager

Caitlin Coombs       Catchment Market Delivery Manager

Esther Frizell-Armitage  Catchment Market Ecologist

Helen Wood              West of England Nature Partnership Nature and Health Coordinator

Rob Stephen stood in front of a tree with a river in the background, wearing a black Avon Wildlife Trust sweatshirt

Rob Stephens, Nature's Recovery Officer

Communities and Engagement

Julie Doherty, Development Manager

Julie Doherty, Head of Communities and Engagement

 

Having been part of the AWT team for over 12 years, I’ve learnt by getting my hands dirty - developing and delivering projects that actively support nature’s recovery - working with children, communities, businesses and volunteers of all abilities . I’m passionate about providing opportunities for people of all ages to connect with, learn about, and care for, the natural world. With nearly 15% of all species now at risk of disappearing completely, and Britain ranked as one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, now is the time for collective action to address the ecological emergency we all face.

As Head of the Communities and Engagement team I work with a wonderfully inspiring team, and oversee our Learning, Community and Volunteering programmes. My vision is for Avon to be rich in wildlife, for people to experience nature every day, no matter where they live, and for our region to be one where prioritising wildlife becomes normal.

Kelly Bray                      Nature Connections Manager

Irene Correia                 People and Wildlife Manager

Christian Emmerson    Volunteering Manager

George Cook, People and Wildlife Officer

George Cook, People and Wildlife Officer

I run events and activities aiming to get people from all backgrounds and of all ages out in nature and inspired about wildlife and how to take action to protect it. I love being outside, bird watching, taking photos of bugs and sharing my love of animals with others!

Alex Dommett              My Wild City Community Engagement Officer

Tay Aziz                         Nextdoor Nature Community Organiser

Eric Swithinbank        Community Ecologist in Residence (Community Climate Action Plan)

Lucy Hellier, Learning Manager

Lucy Hellier, Learning Manager

I manage much of our learning work, including our school visits to the wonderful Folly Farm centre, our My Wild Child and Wildlife Watch groups and our lifelong learning programmes. I am also lucky enough to lead lots of outdoor learning myself, and love nothing better than helping children explore and learn about our incredible local nature and what they can do to help it thrive. We have a fantastic learning programme for people from 2 to 102, and I feel privileged to work for a charity that is working hard to tackle the ecological and climate crises, whilst bringing more nature into local people’s lives.

Sophie Keats                 Learning Development Officer - Youth Lead

Bethan McLatchie        Learning Development Officer - Family and Early Years Lead

Steph Sharkey              Learning Communications and Administration Officer

Fundraising, Membership and Communications

A head and shoulders portrait of Xuela Edwards, standing by a woodland, wearing a purple scarf and black jumper

Xuela Edwards, Head of Fundraising, Membership and Communications

Chrissy Patching          Supporter Care Manager

Amanda Cole                Grants and Engagements Manager

Sam Pullinger               Trusts and Grants Fundraising Officer*

Rhiannon Doherty        Individual Giving Officer

Madison Tumey             Corporate and Community Fundraising Officer (maternity cover)

Alice MacFarlane           Supporter Data Officer

Joanne King                  Membership and CRM Assistant

Laura Weide, Corporate and Community Fundraising Officer

Laura Feliciano, Corporate and Community Fundraising Officer (on maternity leave)

My role is to steward supporters and create fundraising opportunities for both the community and businesses. I joined the trust in April 2021 because I wanted to make a difference for wildlife and empower the community to take action to create a wilder future that we all desperately need. I love the outdoors and when I’m not at work I’m at my allotment or on a walk surrounded by nature.

A photograph of Abbie Hall, she is in her backgarden and smiling towards the camera

Abbie Hall, Communications Officer

Joining the Trust in the Spring of 2022, my role is to celebrate the incredible work we're doing for wildlife while inspiring you to take action for nature. I have a background in journalism and PR, and love finding creative and engaging ways to tell a story. Outside of work you'll probably find me at the cinema, walking in the woods or spending time with my family and friends in Wales.

Sophie Bancroft Team Wilder Communications and Engagement Officer

Sophie Bancroft, Team Wilder Communications and Engagement Officer

My role involves celebrating and encouraging people to take action for nature through inspirational stories and empowering resources. Protecting wildlife has never been so needed and there are many ways to enrich your life through appreciating and protecting your local environment, on an individual and community scale. My background in marketing and a love for being outdoors, means that working for the Trust is a dream come true!

Clare Morris, Membership Recruiter

Clare Morris, Membership Recruiter

Having grown up in the countryside, I have always had a love for wildlife and the outdoors. I spent summer days climbing trees and talking to the cows at the bottom of the garden. Working for Avon Wildlife Trust enables me to have the opportunity to let people know about the wonderful reserves there are and to express the importance of surrounding ourselves in nature. 

Perry Johnson, Membership Recruiter

Perry Johnson, Membership Recruiter

The natural world is suffering a terrible decline in health. We are all contributing to it whether we want to believe it or not, but there is hope! The Wildlife Trusts do an amazing job in safeguarding our natural world for future generations. I love working for Avon Wildlife Trust as a membership recruiter. I enjoy engaging with the general public and communicating the importance of the work that the Trust does. One of the best ways you can help to support UK wildlife and nature is to support your local Wildlife Trust, and I urge everyone to do so.

Finance and Resources

Jane Davis                     Director of Finance and Resources*

John Terrington, Office Manager

John Terrington, Office Manager

As Office Manager I am part of a team who provide behind-the-scenes support services to the Trust in order to allow it to focus on restoring and nurturing wildlife habitats in our local area. I have a lifelong passion for observing wildlife in its natural habitat and I am delighted to be able to make my small contribution to making a positive impact on nature by working with people who are thoroughly committed to that aim.   

Paul McCormack            Financial Controller

Sarah Brander                Accountant*

Kate Bauman, Accounts Assistant

Kate Bauman, Accounts Assistant

My role involves providing finance and admin support to the rest of the team at Avon Wildlife Trust to ensure they are able carry out important work restoring nature and inspiring communities. I love being able to work for an organisation full of people who share my love for nature and wildlife, and learning about all the exciting projects being worked on.

Helen Adams, HR Consultant

Helen Adams, HR Consultant

Since 2014 I have worked as  a freelance HR Consultant to the Trust providing HR support to the Senior Leadership Team and staff as required and working on specific projects. I work with a number of different organisations but I particularly love my work with the Trust as I am so impressed by all the fantastic staff who have so much passion for the work that they are doing. Although freelance, I feel so much part of this family!

Andrea Lakin, Health and Safety Consultant

Andrea Lakin, Health and Safety Consultant* (outsourced)

I assist the CEO and Senior Leadership Team with H&S management and compliance, through the provision of professional and technical advice and guidance and the delivery of essential H&S training. I also complete H&S Audits and ensure we have robust policy documents, safe working procedures and risk assessments in place. I love working with Avon Wildlife Trust because I am passionate about the vital work they do and personally I enjoy being outdoors as much as possible, in all weathers - it is so good for our mental health and wellbeing.

Steve Beary                     Estates & Business Development Project Manager (outsourced)

Sarah Beeley                   Admin Support Officer

Commercial

Keily Elvin           Head of Commercial Development

Shaun Waycott, Grow Wilder Nursery Officer

Shaun Waycott, Grow Wilder Nursery Officer*

I work at our Grow Wilder site running the wildflower nursery and demonstration plantings around the site to help people see how wildflowers can be used in their gardens and allotments. I enjoy working with the volunteers to grow the plants and opening people’s eyes to the beauty of our native wildflowers and their value for wildlife.

Chris Kaboutian, Operations Officer

Chris Kaboutian, Operations Officer*

As Operations Officer at Grow Wilder, I look after the day to day in the office: supporting my colleagues and serving customers. My job also includes hiring our unique spaces out, leading corporate volunteer days, completing key maintenance and infrastructure upgrades…and anything else that comes up! It’s a real privilege to work in an office surrounded by food, wildflowers and a community that is pushing for a more sustainable future.

Rosa Beesley carrying a crate of vegetables

Rosa Beesley, Grow Wilder Land Management Officer

My role is based at our Grow Wilder reserve, where we use wildlife friendly gardening and regenerative food growing to demonstrate how people can take action for nature in their communities. I primarily work with volunteers to manage our habitats and food growing production, in addition to coordinating the Grow Leader course.

Sam Martlew          Grow Wilder Cafe and Retail Officer

Folly Farm Centre

Contact Folly Farm Centre, including booking enquiries, by phone, 01275 331590, or email, info@follyfarm.org, or visit Folly Farm’s website.

Jane Davis                     Centre Director*

Clare Withyman             Centre Manager (outsourced)

Ben MacDow                  Deputy Centre Manager (outsourced)

Hannah Read                 Event Administrator*

Stacey Starr                   Housekeeper*

Michelle Webber            Assistant Housekeeper*

Jayson James                Site Support (outsourced)

Various                          Cleaning staff*

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President, Vice-Presidents and Trustees

Avon Wildlife Trust’s President position is currently vacant, but we have three Vice-Presidents supporting the Trust: Mark Carwardine, Mike Dilger, and Kevin McCloud.

The governing body of Avon Wildlife Trust is an elected board of volunteer trustees. Trustees play a vital role in all aspects of our work.

Meet our trustees

General enquiries

Email: mail@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

Phone: 0117 917 7270Â