Trustees

Sarah is a qualified Chartered Accountant and currently works in a senior role at a North East based homelessness charity. Sarah became a trustee in 2013 and previously served as the Trust’s treasurer before taking on the role of Chair in 2019.  

Faye has a nursing background, serving at a senior level in the NHS before retirement when she joined the Trust’s volunteer team to keep active and support the Trust’s work. Faye became a trustee in 2018.

Now retired from a career in teaching, during which he was Head Teacher in two large outdoor education centres, Richard is passionate about education and the natural environment. His expertise in risk management, financial management and collaborative working with volunteers along with personal experience as a volunteer warden and a passion for wildlife, will help support the Trust’s ambitious engagement objectives.

Now retired, Nigel worked for many years on land and planning issues at a senior level in both the public and private sectors. His planning and procurement experience adds to the knowledge available to the Board on land related issues at a time when the charity is expanding its own land interests. 

Simon works as a Performance Analyst in the funding sector and is an active member of his employer's disability network. He is passionate about wildlife and conservation and has previously volunteered for the Trust’s development committee, helping to measure and guide the 2030 strategy. Simon’s experience will help the Trust turn its ambitious plans into real, measurable actions.

Kirsty’s background is in nursing and adult care where she has experience in senior management roles in the both the charity and private sectors. Kirsty’s current role as a Managing Director working in adult care allows her to apply her significant knowledge and skills to the effective governance of Durham Wildlife Trust. 

Brenda has lived and worked in the North East for more than 35 years, and spends lots of her leisure time pursuing outdoor activities across the Durham Wildlife Trust patch. Now retired, Brenda is keen to combine her passion and enthusiasm for the natural world with her considerable experience in legal and policy issues to help the Trust deliver its ambitious objectives.

Paul was a Chartered Insurance Practitioner before retiring. Born and bred in Gateshead, Paul is passionate about conserving wildlife and in retirement became a practical volunteer for the Trust. He is also a volunteer at Radio Tyneside. Paul became a Trustee in 2020.

Vivien had a successful career in the media before switching careers and studying for a PhD in Conservation Biology and Anthropology at Durham. Vivien worked for a number of years in the DWT conservation team and is now an independent wildlife and conservation biologist. Vivien became a trustee in 2019.

Harvey has many years’ experience in digital, data and technology issues in the public and private sectors. His specialist skills around operational and programme management and use of technology will support Durham Wildlife Trust to develop its own digital capacity and create active, meaningful engagement.   

Bill is a mathematician and data scientist who lives in Durham and has worked in academia and government. He is currently Professor for Data and Cyber at Lancaster University, where he focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for environmental applications as well as cybersecurity. He is keen to combine his technical expertise and lifelong love of the natural world to support the Trust’s ambitious plans for nature recovery.