David leads the Trust by ensuring a strong focus on our catchment-based strategies, fostering relationships with partners and stakeholders, and overseeing financial management.
With 23 years of experience encompassing river and freshwater-related roles with the statutory nature conservation bodies, environmental consultancy and environmental research organisations David brings technical, commercial, and strategic leadership to the Trust.
Hilary spearheads the development and execution of various projects focused on habitat restoration, water quality enhancement, and biodiversity. Her portfolio includes our Engaging with Farmers project, facilitating the Thame Catchment Farm Cluster and Biodiversity Net Gain projects.
With a rich background, Hilary previously served as the Living Landscape Manager for BBOWT. In this capacity, she successfully executed landscape-scale projects in collaboration with local community volunteers and landowners. Her dedication to conservation also led her to work with Wild Oxfordshire, where she facilitated the Evenlode Catchment Partnership and managed Oxfordshire’s Biodiversity Action Group.
Andy takes the lead in developing and executing a diverse array of projects aimed at habitat restoration, water quality enhancement, and biodiversity. His responsibilities encompass critical initiatives such as fish passage construction, chalk streams improvement, and water quality monitoring.
With over 20 years of expertise, Andy is a chartered scientist with CIWEM who brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. His career has included flood risk analysis, hydrological and hydrogeological studies, water management, and project management of multidisciplinary environmental studies. Prior to joining our Trust, Andy worked as a consultant, principally as a senior partner at Golder Associates (now WSP). He holds a BSc in Mathematics and an MSc in Sustainable Management of the Water Environment.
Chels takes on the pivotal role of coordinating our dedicated network of volunteers and managing our public communications across various platforms. They are also responsible for the joint hosting of the Thame Catchment Partnership and organising our annual Water Conference.
With a diverse background, Chels previously served as a Wetland Restoration Specialist at Applied Ecological Services, where they delivered habitat creation projects across Ohio. Their experience extends to working with young people and adults in outdoor education, both in the United States and the United Kingdom. Chels holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Evolution & Ecology and has completed a Conservation Ecology MSc program at Oxford Brookes.
Grace plays a pivotal role in the meticulous planning and execution of habitat and water quality enhancement projects throughout the River Thame. Her support extends across all facets of the Trust's activities, encompassing the development and implementation of river restoration and habitat enhancement projects at every stage, from conception to monitoring.
Grace brings a diverse background, having previously worked in the private sector as an ecologist and GIS assistant for reputable consulting firms. Her practical expertise is further enriched by a year spent as an Apprentice Arborist at Harcourt Arboretum. She holds a master's degree in Global Biodiversity Conservation and a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science.
Bruce is a Project Officer whose area of work focuses on the development phase of the ‘Ock and Thame Farmers: Freshwaters and Floodplains Restoration Project’ Landscape Recovery project, engaging farmers with land use change and habitat restoration planning in the River Thame catchment part of the project. Bruce has a mixed background covering active farming and practical ecology. He has previously worked on dairy, lowland arable, large private estates, and upland livestock farms, as well as advising on pollution mitigation, wetland habitat restoration, protected species management, and was a farm cluster facilitator in his previous eNGO role before joining RTCT. Bruce also has experience from the private sector as an ecologist, and holds a Masters degree in Ecology.
Darra's area of work at the Trust focuses primarly on liaising with farmers and providing agricultural advice as part of our land management team, promoting the types of sustainable farming practices that underpin a healthy natural environment. Darra has a key role in working with farmers across the Thame catchment, supporting access to the latest advice and funding linked to sustainable farming practices, and further development of the Thame Catchment Farm Cluster. Born into the family farm in County Galway on the west coast of Ireland, Darra has an extensive background in agriculture and food production and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Rural Enterprise at the Atlantic Technological University of Galway.
John Wilcox, serves as the Trust’s Financial Controller working part-time. John holds a wealth of experience as a qualified accountant, having worked for numerous charities and commercial organizations over the years. Prior to joining us, John served as the Finance Director of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance until December 2021. John has had the privilege of living and working in both Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. However, he has now made Thame his home, residing close to the beautiful Cuttlebrook.
Ben’s career in hydrology and water resource planning covers over 45 years. As a chartered civil engineer he has worked for water companies, regulators and international funding agencies. Ben's experience encompasses critical areas such as drought and water supply planning in South East England, water demand forecasts, climate change and water resource investment strategies. Additionally, he has provided valuable policy and strategic guidance to regulators and government departments.
Contributions to the Board:
Ben brings his knowledge and experience of the regulation of the UK water sector to inform the board's strategic thinking
With a wealth of experience starting from his time at the Institute of Hydrology (now UKCEH) in Wallingford, Ben brings a deep-rooted understanding of hydrology and catchment planning
His prior role as head of the water resources team at the Compagnie Générale des Eaux group (now Affinity Water) gave him hands-on experience of the UK water industry regulation
Ben's career at Atkins spans over 20 years. As Technical Director Water Resources, he led a leading group of UK and international water resource practitioners
In his free time, Ben enjoys the varied academic and cultural opportunities that come with living in Oxford as well as spending time with family and particularly his grandchildren.
Keith brings a unique blend of expertise in wildlife ecology and a distinguished career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry to our board. As a veterinary surgeon and pathologist, he has dedicated his professional life to managing research within these sectors. His background includes serving as Chief Executive of Santaris Pharma A/S, a prominent RNA medicines company now part of Roche, and founding and cultivating British Biotech into one of Europe's leading public biopharmaceutical enterprises. Currently, Keith holds non-executive chairman or director roles in various entrepreneurial bioscience businesses.
Contributions to the Board:
Keith's deep interest in wildlife ecology aligns seamlessly with our conservation efforts along the River Thame.
His extensive experience in research management within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries enriches the board's strategic perspectives.
Keith's role as Treasurer ensures the efficient financial stewardship of the Trust, safeguarding its long-term sustainability.
His entrepreneurial acumen and experience in biopharmaceutical leadership provide a valuable perspective for the organization's growth and strategic decisions.
In his leisure time, Keith enjoys living beside the picturesque River Thame in Cuddington, further deepening his connection to the region's natural beauty.
Nick brings a wealth of professional experience and a deep commitment to conservation to our board. With a background spanning 21 years in a National Governing Body of Sport, he has played a pivotal role in collaborating with local County organizations.
Nick now works for the Chilterns Conservation Board delivering a 5-year Landscape scale conservation project. He facilitates both the Central Chilterns and North Chilterns Famer Clusters delivering a wide range of projects including restoration of 2 chalk grassland SSSIs, chalk stream, hedgerow, farm carbon projects and working to support new Countryside Stewardship agreements. He manages New Shoots, helping young people gain their first experience of conservation and innovative new landscape scale citizen science bird, butterfly, and plant monitoring project.
Contributions to the Board:
His year as a Conservation Trainee with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust underscores his dedication to conservation efforts in the region.
Nick's dedication to wildlife surveying is evident through his long-standing involvement in regular bird surveys for BTO and for BBOWT on the Upper Ray Reserves for BBOWT, spanning 18 years.
Nick has set up and manages the managing the RTCT catchment wide Bird Atlas and the ongoing monthly river Wetland Bird Survey in partnership with BTO
He has also used the records form the various bird survey to secure 4 new Local Wildlife Site designations on the River Thame and supported the planning and monitoring of key projects such as Eythrope wetlands.
Outside of his conservation work, Nick enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the beautiful Thame region with his two young children.
Mark's career centres on environmental assessments with a specialized focus on land use planning, including carbon footprint assessments and sustainability evaluations. With a rich professional background, Mark spent a decade at the Environment Agency, followed by significant experience in the private sector working with environmental consultancies. His areas of expertise encompass the Water Framework Directive, water quality, catchment management, and the assessment of natural capital. During his tenure at the Environment Agency, Mark played a key role in various areas of the Thames catchment, including the Thame, where he led on technical water quality matters and provided support to the EA's Thame catchment coordinator and environment officers.
Contributions to the Board:
Mark's extensive experience in environmental assessments, water quality, and catchment management enhances the board's understanding of critical conservation issues.
His broad portfolio of work, spanning from small site-based projects to nationally significant infrastructure endeavours, brings diverse insights to benefit the Thame and its communities.
Mark serves as the Vice Chair of CIWEM's natural capital network, underscoring his dedication to advancing environmental initiatives.
His role as an editor for the Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management journal, with a focus on ecosystem services, highlights his commitment to research and knowledge sharing.
Outside of his professional commitments, Mark is a passionate advocate for ecosystem services and the integration of environmental considerations into decision-making processes.
Dave recently retired from a distinguished career as the Group Health, Safety, and Environment Manager at Oxford Instruments. With a background deeply rooted in health, safety, and environmental management, he brings valuable insights into these critical areas.
Dave's passion for the River Thame and his long-standing role as Secretary of the Thame Valley Fisheries Preservation Consultative (TVFPC) positions him as a staunch advocate for the river's future.
Contributions to the Board:
His extensive experience in health, safety, and environmental management, honed during his career at Oxford Instruments, contributes to the board's strategic discussions.
Dave's active involvement in legal actions against polluters and his commitment to protecting the River Thame from pollution for over 35 years underscore his dedication to conservation.
In his spare time, he dedicates himself to fisheries and pollution matters, engaging with key stakeholders like the Environment Agency and senior directors of Thames Water.
As Chairman of the Angling Trust Thames Regional Forum since 2011, Chairman of the High Wycombe Thames Angling Club since 1990, and Chairman of Kingsey Fishery since 1990, Dave brings a wealth of expertise in fisheries management and conservation to the board.
Dave's tireless advocacy for the River Thame reflects his unwavering commitment to ensuring its protection and vitality for future generations.
Sian’s brings extensive HR experience to the Board through her career within various public and private sector organisation as a Chartered HR professional. Transferring to the private sector in 2017 opened up opportunities with various not for profit organisations, charities, arm’s length NHS providers, De Montfort University and small businesses before she retired during Covid and moved to Buckinghamshire.
Some of the most rewarding career highlights have been collaborating with senior leaders to identify the strategic and operational HR needs for them and their teams at all levels up to and including the Board and Chief Executive. These included change management projects, legal compliance, workforce planning, equality and diversity, training and development needs and recruitment. An area of particular personal interest was coaching senior managers to embed health and wellbeing initiatives within the workplace to increase everyone’s personal resilience.
Contributions to the Board
Sian brings extensive HR experience to the Board drawn from her work including change management projects, legal compliance, workforce planning, equality and diversity, training and development needs and recruitment.
In her free time, Sian is an active member of the village community and has joined the Shabbington Nature Network to support local initiatives and further a lifelong interest in the countryside.
Jenny is a dedicated local resident within the Thame catchment, where a significant portion of the River Thame flows through her fields. Her profound concern for the quality of water supplies and biodiversity in the Thames Valley underscores her commitment to environmental conservation. Additionally, Jenny actively participates in the Thame Catchment Farm Cluster, furthering her engagement in local conservation efforts. Professionally, she excels in the healthcare sector, serving as a consultant to esteemed institutions such as Oxford University, the World Health Organization (WHO), and biotech spin outs from Universities. Her career also includes significant involvement in national policy-making, where she served as a former special adviser and Director of Child Health.
Contributions to the Board:
Professionally, Jenny's expertise in healthcare and her consulting work for prominent institutions add a valuable perspective on health-related aspects of conservation.
Her understanding of national policy-making provides insights that are crucial for the organisation's strategic decisions.
Jenny's multifaceted experience aligns seamlessly with the Trust's mission to protect the River Thame and its catchment.
Jenny enjoys the beauty of the Thame catchment, where she is fortunate to witness firsthand the natural wonders of the region that she is passionate about preserving.
Charles has dedicated practically his entire life to farming along the banks of the River Thame. He began his farming journey on the family farm in Chislehampton in 1963, and later moved to View Farm in 1974. With over six decades of hands-on experience, Charles is a seasoned farmer with an in-depth understanding of agricultural practices and their environmental impacts. Views Farm boasts several floodplain meadows along the River Thame, and Charles actively contributes to the Thame Catchment Farm Cluster as a valued Steering Group member. His dedication to conservation and river health runs deep, aligning with his role as a Trustee.
Charles's decades-long experience in farming equips the board with valuable insights into agricultural practices and their implications for the River Thame and its catchment.
His role in leading the Thame Catchment Farm Cluster highlights his active involvement in local conservation efforts.
Charles's deep concern for conservation and river health aligns seamlessly with the Trust's mission to protect the River Thame.
Beyond farming, Charles manages the Jack Peers Centre, a venue dedicated to the youth of east Oxford, founded in the early 1980s. This centre equips young people with practical skills and fosters their interest in the natural world.
In his spare time, Charles enjoys immersing himself in the serene beauty of the countryside, further fueling his passion for conservation.
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