A short history...

I am lucky to have worked on, lived next to and managed some of the most iconic rivers in the UK.  I started work in the upper reaches of the river Severn and have spent 25 years in Hampshire and have worked throughout the country.  I set out on my career wanting to make a difference somewhere in the environmental sector and I am very fortunate to have had a fulfilling career with the Environment Agency.  I made the decision to retire early because I wanted to use my skills outside of the constraints of government department. 

 

In my role at the Environment Agency as a Technical Specialist and in my role as a company director that owns and managers many miles of river I have gained a detailed understanding of how to manage a catchment can successfully create complex, sustainable habitats.  My main role was to use the data that I collected, along with all other data for many other parameters such as water quality and fly life surveys to produce reports on the state of the environment and to reinstate, or repair, those habitats.  I have become adept in working with both large and small stakeholders to improve our rivers; this includes removing large structures from the river to improve habitat, designing and installing a fish pass as part of a multi-million pound river restoration project, right the way down to implementing small scale changes in how the river habitat is managed.  Whilst the large projects can look good quickly it is the how the river is maintained that has the biggest impact.  I have changed an old impounded mill leat into a spectacular chalk stream by altering a water level and allowing bankside vegetation to grow. 

 

My role as chair of the Trust I co-founded is to use my contacts and knowledge to bring all parties together to deliver many different strands of work.  My strength in the role is to bring a partnership approach to all our work.  This brings the benefit of a collegiate approach as well as being able to gear up any funding that we attract.  We started by delivering small projects with local volunteers and building a reputation for getting things done.  Working on Special Area of Conservation we have to navigate the many permits and regulations to deliver the repairs and improvements.  Regular communication with interested parties has been important in all of these projects to secure buy in and to maintain enthusiasm and interest. 

 

At heart, I remain a scientist who wants to protect the water environment.