Norfolk Rivers Trust

The team

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Abbie Read

Trustee

River Restoration Project Officer

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Abbie Read is our River Restoration Project Officer. With a background in aquatic ecology, conservation and research, as well as experience in environmental education. Abbie is scoping out and coordinating river restoration projects across various river catchments and Norwich, while leading the facilitation of the North West Norfolk Catchment Partnership. Abbie has a particular interest in fisheries ecology and how restoration practices can support diverse and abundant fish assemblages.

River Restoration

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Ali Robinson

Trustee

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Ali is a senior accountant with a strong commercial background, particularly in the renewable energy and recycling sectors. Over the years, Ali has provided in-house financial, company secretarial and administrative support to a range of organisations, leading teams to deliver practical, client-focused solutions. Her work has included developing systems and processes that improve operational performance and support long-term success. Outside of work, Ali is driven by a deep respect for the natural world and a commitment to environmental sustainability. This personal connection to nature underpins her professional focus and inspires her support for organisations working to protect the environment and promote sustainable practices.

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Alison Smyth

Trustee

Senior Farm and Land Management Adviser

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Alison Smyth is a Senior Farm and Land use Adviser. With a background in agri-environment schemes, sustainable farming systems and soil management. Alison works with farmers in the Upper Bure Catchment as part of the Riverlands project and supports our farm team with her knowledge and expertise of working with farmers for over 30 years. Alison has particular interest in improving soil health, organic farming systems and climate resilience.

Farm and Land Management

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Anthony Gagen

Trustee

North Norfolk Team Leader

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Ant Gagen is our North Norfolk Team Leader. With a background in ecology and conservation, Ant coordinates the projects in North Norfolk, assisting his team in delivering river restoration schemes and habitat improvements. He has a particular interest in treatment wetlands and detailed river design.

North Norfolk

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Ben Steward

Trustee

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Ben qualified in Land Agency before working within a large national commercial property team. He subsequently worked as a market leader in the regeneration of brownfield land and later as managing partner in a local Commercial Agency. As a Trustee of NRT and Non-Exec Director of Rivers Ecology, Ben brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team.

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Cassie Chanin

Trustee

Brecks Rivers Landscape Adviser

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Cassie Chanin is our Brecks Rivers Landscape Adviser. With a background in ecology, conservation, and practical habitat management. Cassie currently works on the Breckland Farmers Landscape Recovery Pilot Project, which aims to develop floodplain and river restoration opportunities on the Thet, Little Ouse, Black Bourn, Lark and Wissey. She has previously worked on the Woodlands for Water and Air Wick x WWF Botanica projects, advising on and delivering riparian tree planting, and wildflower meadow restoration and creation.

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Farm and Land Management

Charlotte Briggs

Trustee

Farm and Land Management

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Charlotte began at NRT as an assistant in the team, drawn to work in agriculture instead of the four walls of a science lab! She is passionate about engaging with environment-positive changes in the agricultural sector that just make sense… for planet and farming businesses alike.

Cooperative learning and knowledge exchange is a hugely rewarding part of the job… we offer free site visits to farmers and landowners, to get to know risks and opportunities for our catchment’s farmers and offer support to access help in such changeable and challenging times for the sector.

With experience in public engagement, education and lab work, Charlotte has a BSc degree in Biological Sciences (including crop genetics and microbiology) and is BASIS-qualified.

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Farm and Land Management

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Donna Dean

Trustee

River Restoration Team Leader

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Donna Dean is our River Restoration Team Leader, with a background in ecology, conservation, and outdoor and high school education. Donna works alongside and supports her colleagues in the river restoration team, carrying out restoration projects across Norfolk. She has a particular interest in the Eurasian otter, having studied their habitat and prey preferences on chalk streams with NRT and the UEA. She also holds a BTO bird ringing license and rings birds at a variety of sites.

River Restoration

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Dr Geoff Brighty

Trustee

Chairman

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Dr Geoff Brighty is Chairman of Norfolk Rivers Trust and has been a Trustee since 2014. Geoff is a published research scientist and has had a career to Area Director level with the Environment Agency including operations, sustainable communities, and ecotoxicology, leading to investigations on endocrine disruption in UK’s fish populations. More recently, he was Technical Director at the UKs first plastic pollution charity, Plastic Oceans, and was special advisor to its film A Plastic Ocean. Following 9 years leading his sustainability consultancy, he is now Chief Sustainability Officer at advanced recycling company, Mura Technology.

A lifelong environmentalist having grown up in North Norfolk, Geoff now lives near Norwich, and in his spare time enjoys kayaking, bird watching and fishing on the Broads and Norfolk rivers.

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Dr Jonah Tosney

Trustee

Technical Director

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Dr Jonah Tosney is an ecologist and has been at Norfolk Rivers Trust since 2012. He works across all our projects and specialises in river restoration and wetland creation projects. Jonah is passionate about nature restoration and has a particular interest in what it takes to allow Norfolk's chalk-streams to thrive.

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Leadership

Dr Richard Cooper

Trustee

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Richard is an Associate Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia. He specialises in applied Catchment Science research and teaching. For 10 years (2011-2020) he worked on the Defra-funded River Wensum Demonstration Test Catchment project evaluating the extent to which on-farm mitigation measures could cost-effectively reduce the impacts of agricultural pollution on river ecology whilst maintaining food production capacity. His current research projects focus on Landscape Recovery, integrated constructed wetlands, beaver reintroduction, and ‘forever chemical’ pollution. Outside of UEA, Richard sits on the River Wensum and Broadland Catchment Partnerships and is a keen gardener and wildlife enthusiast.

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Dr Sarah Taigel

Trustee

GIS and Data Analyst

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Sarah is the Trust’s GIS and Data Analyst, bringing nearly 30 years of experience as a physical geographer and geospatial specialist across multiple sectors. Sarah’s research at the UEA evaluated how GIS, AR, VR, digital hubs, and citizen science could be used to manage landscapes at a catchment scale, including developing apps for real-world applications. Sarah has a strong interest in lowland chalk river systems, nature-based solutions, and data collection methods. Her diverse expertise underpins her work in advancing the Trust’s evidence-based approach to environmental restoration.

Data and Evidence

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Ed Bramham-Jones

Trustee

Chief Executive Officer

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Ed has been our CEO since 2023. Ed started working at the trust in 2016 when he joined as a Farm Adviser after spending 12 years at Pensthorpe as a Warden and then Reserve Manager. With a background in land management, farming and species conservation, Ed oversees the day-to-day running of the Trust and Rivers Ecology, our consultancy arm. He has a particular interest in delivering catchment-scale change through working in partnership to improve our rare chalk streams and the wider environment.

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Leadership

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Elle Claiborn

Trustee

Citizen Science Officer

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Elle Claiborn is our Citizen Science Officer and has a background in international development, water security, sociology, anthropology, and teaching. Elle trains and coordinates citizen scientists taking weekly water quality testing on the River Wensum and its tributaries. She also manages the data derived from this testing, ensuring it is robust, accessible to all and fit for use by decision makers. She sits on the Wensum Catchment Partnership water quality and management teams. Elle has a particular interest in how people and waterways affect one another, and how education and involvement can enhance both.

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River Restoration

Erin Madden

Trustee

Education and Engagement Officer

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Erin is our Education and Engagement Officer. Her experience is in connecting people with nature and restoration across different parts of the UK. Erin organises and delivers guided walks, events, volunteering opportunities and coordinates partnerships.

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Education and Engagement

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Georgia Waye-Barker

Trustee

Comms and Media Manager

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Georgia Waye-Barker is our Comms and Media Manager. With a background in environmental science, research and communications, Georgia leads our communications and media work, shining a spotlight on the crucial work that NRT undertakes. This includes collaborating with media outlets and partners, crafting compelling written and visual content, and managing our website and social media channels. Georgia is particularly passionate about sharing the transformative benefits of restoring rivers for human society, from health and wellbeing to sustainable water management and learning potential.

Communications

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Helaina Parkinson

Trustee

Comms and Engagement Assistant

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Helaina Parkinson is our Comms and Engagement Assistant. With a background in community engagement, events, practical conservation tasks and creative writing. Helaina helps design and run NRT’s social media and outputs, assists all members of the team with events and visits, and takes photographs and videos. She works collaboratively with internal and external colleagues to reach volunteers across Norfolk. Helaina has a particular interest in wildlife, water and agriculture, as well as environmental and event photography. However, she hopes to also gain more experience working on practical tasks such as surveying and mitigation.

Communications

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Isabelle Sinclair

Trustee

North Norfolk Landscape Recovery Project Officer

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Izzy Sinclair is our North Norfolk Landscape Recovery Project Officer. Following the completion of her Master’s in Biodiversity and Conservation, she has a background in habitat restoration and species conservation. Izzy is currently working alongside Rebecca Banks to pull together North Norfolk's submission for Defra's ambitious Landscape Recovery Scheme. With a particular interest in pond ecology, she is working towards her Great Crested Newt licence.

North Norfolk

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Jack Riggall

Trustee

Ecologist

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Jack is an Ecologist within the Rivers Ecology team. With a degree in ecology and wildlife conservation, he has a wide range of field ecology experience, especially with protected species and botany. Jack also has experience in teaching professional courses on otters and their relatives.

Rivers Ecology

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Josie Crook

Trustee

Sustainable Agriculture Officer

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Josie Crook is our Sustainable Agriculture Officer. With a BSc in Zoology, as well as experience in stockmanship, horticulture and a lifetime around animals, her role focuses on water usage around fresh produce production including potatoes, sugar beet and pigs. Josie has a particular interest in conservation, wildlife and supporting farmers in their transition to a more sustainable future.

Farm and Land Management

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Kerry Foster

Trustee

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Kerry is an experienced leader, and has worked across the environmental, cultural and tourism sectors for over 25 years in both exec and non-exec roles. Her previous experience includes leadership roles at The British Museum, London Transport Museum, and the National Trust. Kerry has most recently been working as a consultant, supporting charitable and commercial organisations in the sector by providing them with interim senior leadership support, coaching, change management expertise, and leading strategic and project assignments. She has a passion for nature conservation.

Trustees & Non-Executive Directors

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Libby Pool

Trustee

Ecologist

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Libby ACIEEM is an Ecologist within our Rivers Ecology team. She has a background in ecological consultancy and has expertise in protected species surveys, habitat assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain. At the Trust, Libby conducts botanical surveys and River Condition Assessments to provide a robust baseline for river restoration projects. She also has experience in water vole mitigation and holds a Great Crested Newt licence. Libby is particularly interested in floodplain meadows and how appropriate management can influence botanical diversity.

Rivers Ecology

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Lily Mackie

Trustee

Project Assistant

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Lily has an MSc in freshwater management with an expertise in geomorphology. Lily delivers a number of projects, including chalk stream restoration, pond creation, natural flood management and wetland design.

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Rivers Ecology

Marie-Anne Edwards

Trustee

Head of Finance

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Having run her own business for a number of years, Marie-Anne started working for Norfolk Rivers Trust over 10 years ago and is now Head of Finance, managing funds for all projects.

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Leadership

Maya Watts

Trustee

Farming and Land Management Project Assistant

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Maya is our Farming and Land Management Project Assistant. With a BSc in Zoology and a trainee bird-ringing license, Maya assists in the organisation and delivery of the Water Sensitive Farming initiative and related projects. She has experience researching the relationship between agri-environment schemes and moth populations, and has a particular passion for wildlife conservation and ornithology.

Farm and Land Management

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Nathalie Dagg

Trustee

Senior Project Officer

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Nathalie is our Senior Project Officer in the North Norfolk Team. With a background in flood and water management, as well as erosion protection and adaptation projects on the north Norfolk coastline. Nathalie works in the Stiffkey catchment, planning and delivering river restoration projects. She has a particular interest in treatment wetlands and supervision of project delivery works. Nathalie has qualifications in dumper driving, site management safety, electrofishing, brush cutting, and is working towards obtaining a water vole handling and mitigation licence.

North Norfolk

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Nigel Savory

Trustee

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Nigel is a chartered accountant and, until he retired in 2014, was a partner in Grant Thornton and its predecessor firm in Norwich, KPMG. He specialised in commercial, agricultural and private client work.

Nigel is chairman of The RC Snelling Charitable Trust and the Snellings Group and is also Chairman of The Whitlingham Charitable Trust which run the Whitlingham Country Park on the edge of Norwich. He is a director of Barratt & Cooke; Colleague Software; and Fakenham Racecourse. He is also a trustee of Music in Country Churches and The Lady Hind and Charles Littlewood Hill Charitable Trusts.

Nigel was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 2006/7 and is a Deputy Lieutenant. He lives at Thorpland, near Fakenham and is a partner in the family farming business. The River Stiffkey runs through the farm.

Trustees & Non-Executive Directors

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Polly Penn

Trustee

Head of Programmes

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Polly is our Head of Programmes and joined us in 2025, bringing a decade of experience from the South East Rivers Trust. There she held a variety of roles as the organisation grew, most recently leading community engagement through education, volunteering, and communications, while also shaping strategy, partnerships, and fundraising. At Norfolk Rivers Trust, Polly oversees our wide-ranging programme of work, builds strong partnerships, and secures funding to deliver our strategy for the future.

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Leadership

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Rebecca Banks

Trustee

North Norfolk Landscape Recovery Officer

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Rebecca is our Landscape Recovery Project Officer and has been with Norfolk Rivers Trust since 2017, co-ordinating and delivering a variety of river restoration, wetland creation projects, and surveys. Rebecca holds an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management, a BSc in Geography, and has a background in practical conservation, land management, and ecological surveys. She has a particular interest in floodplains and serves as a Floodplain Meadows Ambassador for the Floodplain Meadows Partnership.

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North Norfolk

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Rob Cooke

Trustee

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Rob has worked in the environmental sector for over 40 years in both policy implementation and operational roles, most recently as Director for Legislative Reform at Natural England, where he stood over advice to Government on Retained EU Law, and Regulatory reform in general. As a Director at Natural England for over 10 years, Rob has led teams providing expert advice in both the marine and terrestrial environments, including agricultural policy implementation, biodiversity and wider environmental legislation, site designation, landscape-scale delivery, and sustainable development issues.

Currently, in addition to his role as Trustee for Norfolk Rivers Trust, Rob is also a Trustee for the National Biodiversity Network, and was previously a Trustee for the Field Studies Council.

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Sam Hurst

Trustee

Farming and Land Management Team Leader

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Sam is our Farming and Land Management Team Leader. With a background in water sensitive farm advice, environmental regulation, and catchment appraisal. Sam manages our team of farm advisers to deliver a range of projects with corporate partners that support sustainable food production, healthy soils, and clean and plentiful water. He has a particular interest in riparian land management, ‘regenerative farming’ practices, and historic maps. Sam is a FACTS qualified adviser and CIWEM member.

Farm and Land Management

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Sharon Reeves

Trustee

Lark and Wissey Catchment Planning Officer

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Sharon is our River Restoration Project Officer, with a background in education, conservation and river restoration. Currently, Sharon is creating catchment restoration delivery plans for both the Lark and Wissey rivers. Following a career change, Sharon is passionate about learning anything and everything to help restore clean, accessible rivers with an abundance of diverse wildlife.

River Restoration

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Steve Hendry

Trustee

Project Officer

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Steve is our Project Officer. With a background in architectural design, cabinet making and years of volunteering with local conservation groups. His current role includes designing, planning and delivering river restoration projects and water quality testing in North Norfolk. Steve is particularly interested in river restoration design and learning about how flood meadow plants can inform you of site conditions and past management.

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North Norfolk

Tim Fisher

Trustee

Education and Engagement Team Leader

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Tim is our Education and Engagement Team Leader. With a background in landscape archaeology, practical coastal management, outdoor environmental education and primary school teaching. His degree in archaeology enabled him to pursue his interest in how landscapes change, and how humans interact with them. In his current role, he is fascinated by the relationship between river systems and human activity.

Tim co-ordinates our volunteers, planning and leading tasks that help the Trust deliver nature recovery projects across the county. Additionally, he manages our school and community engagement events throughout the year. He has a particular interest in linking communities with nearby nature recovery projects and the wider landscape. In his spare time, he loves to explore landscapes, rivers, estuaries and coastlines - enjoying being immersed in the diverse range of habitats they flow past.

Education and Engagement

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Tom Deards

Trustee

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Tom is the Legal & Governance Director of the Canal & River Trust. His role involves leading a legal team that covers a huge diversity of areas including environment and planning law, property law, public and charity law, specialist waterway law (navigation, boat licensing, riparian duties and rights etc.), as well as a governance team which coordinates the Board of Trustees, Council of Members and other stakeholder groups. Tom also oversees wider compliance and assurance in respect of data protection, safeguarding, sustainability, equality and diversity, health and safety and risk management.

Trustees & Non-Executive Directors

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Ursula Juta

Trustee

Senior Project Officer

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Ursula is our Senior Project Officer. With a background in ecology, conservation and outdoor education, she is a multi-skilled team member, coordinating river restoration projects, delivering educational programmes in schools and undertaking water vole surveys and mitigation. Ursula holds both a white-clawed crayfish and beaver licence. She has a particular interest in restoration ecology and how keystone species can influence a whole food chain.

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River Restoration

William Unwin

Trustee

Assistant Ecologist

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Will is an Assistant Ecologist within our Rivers Ecology Team. With an MSc in Wildlife Conservation, he works on a variety of our projects, conducting River Condition Assessments, water quality testing, protected species surveys and topographical mapping. Will has a particular interest in fieldwork and habitat conservation.

Rivers Ecology

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Zac Battams

Trustee

Operations Director

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Zac is our Head of Operations and leads the day-to-day running and organisation of the Trust. With a bias towards catchment water resource management and a passion for all things relating to fish, Zac believes holistic thinking is required to achieve the most ambitious positive outcomes for Norfolk’s rivers and that collaborative working is essential for making change at scale.

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Leadership

Our team

The team

Abbie Read

Trustee

River Restoration Project Officer

Ali Robinson

Trustee

Trustee

Alison Smyth

Trustee

Senior Farm and Land Management Adviser

Anthony Gagen

Trustee

North Norfolk Team Leader

Ben Steward

Trustee

Cassie Chanin

Trustee

Brecks Rivers Landscape Adviser

Charlotte Briggs

Trustee

Farm and Land Management

Donna Dean

Trustee

River Restoration Team Leader

Dr Geoff Brighty

Trustee

Chairman

Dr Jonah Tosney

Trustee

Technical Director

Dr Richard Cooper

Trustee

Dr Sarah Taigel

Trustee

GIS and Data Analyst

Ed Bramham-Jones

Trustee

Chief Executive Officer

Elle Claiborn

Trustee

Citizen Science Officer

Erin Madden

Trustee

Education and Engagement Officer

Georgia Waye-Barker

Trustee

Comms and Media Manager

Helaina Parkinson

Trustee

Comms and Engagement Assistant

Isabelle Sinclair

Trustee

North Norfolk Landscape Recovery Project Officer

Jack Riggall

Trustee

Ecologist

Josie Crook

Trustee

Sustainable Agriculture Officer

Kerry Foster

Trustee

Libby Pool

Trustee

Ecologist

Lily Mackie

Trustee

Project Assistant

Marie-Anne Edwards

Trustee

Head of Finance

Maya Watts

Trustee

Farming and Land Management Project Assistant

Nathalie Dagg

Trustee

Senior Project Officer

Nigel Savory

Trustee

Polly Penn