Meet the team

With over 25 years management experience in the environmental sector, Paul currently oversees the Trust's charitable purposes on land and at sea, ensuring the organisation meets the Charity Commission’s standards and all associated regulations.

Paul campaigned for and took part in the Net Gain Marine Conservation Zone Regional Stakeholder Groups, and has since continued to ensure that the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust responds to relevant consultations and campaigns on the marine environment.

Anita first volunteered with the Trust in 2006 as Membership/Volunteer Database Administrator and was employed as Volunteer Co-ordinator and Project Planning & Development Officer. In this role she managed the development of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marsh project on behalf of the Project Partnership. She has a BA (Hons) in History, a Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management and Financial Planning Certificate (Stage I, II & III). Anita’s career has ranged from Personnel Assistant, Senior IT Project Manager/Consultant and Building Society Area Manager to Partner/Sole Trader developing, owning and managing five specialist care homes for 40 adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour, providing both residential and day care. She was elected Chair of Trustees for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in 2021.

Anita explains why access to nature is so important to her:
"For me, nothing calms my mind or eases the stress of the day more than an early morning or summer evening ride, listening to and observing the sights and sounds of nature all around me. Because I know how essential this is to my mental and physical wellbeing, I am passionate about everyone having access to nature, wherever they live."

Libby John is a retired Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Science at the University of Lincoln but retains a part-time role there as Dean of Sustainability. Libby is a plant ecologist and researcher who finds teaching about plants and the natural world incredibly rewarding, especially if it involves field work. She has a PhD in Plant Ecology (on lichens) and MSc in Environmental Technology. She is also a Trust volunteer plant recorder. Libby is passionate about the importance of nature and efforts to support nature recovery.

Michael is co-founder and director of Biodiversify - a conservation consultancy that advises a range of private, public and third-sector clients who want to act for nature. He was formerly an Environmental Consultant with CH2M HILL and RSK Group. Michael has a PhD in Conservation Science from Imperial College London, an MSc in Marine Environmental Management from the University of York and a BSc (Hons) in Geography from the University of Manchester. He is a member of Conservation Optimism.

Michael tells us about his greatest achievement to date:
"In my work, what I'm most proud of accomplishing would definitely be when I was awarded my PhD. I was examined by Professor Dame Georgina Mace, who sadly passed away in 2020. She was a huge inspiration to the whole world of conservation science and it was an enormous privilege that she read (and enjoyed!) my thesis."

Eve Crook She is currently Head of Brand at The Trussell Trust and previous roles have been in the public, private and charity sectors including National Trust. Eve is a Chartered Marketer, has a BA (Hons) in International Tourism Management and has completed a Mini MBA in Brand Management.

In addition to her role as a Trustee, Kitty has many work interests and is currently Estate Manager for Willoughby Farms Ltd and Managing Director of Alford Crematorium Ltd, as well as managing her own property portfolio. Kitty has been a ministerial appointment to the Independent Agricultural Appeals Panel (IAAP) since 2014. She is also a governor of a local academy and shareholder of a web development company (Steamdesk Ltd). Kitty has an MSc in Biological Recording from the University of Birmingham and a BSc in Economics, Maths & Statistics from the University of Cambridge and Open University. She is a member of Lincolnshire Bird Club.

Kitty shares her passion for nature:
"I love being in the woods as the sun rises, seeing roe deer, muntjac and buzzards, and watching the trees and the light through them. It gives me a real feeling of connection with the seasons and the life cycles of the animals and plants that live there."

Sophie Harris is currently an Associate Director Quality, Safety, Health and Environment at Micronclean Ltd and she has had previous environmental leadership roles in water companies. Sophie is a Chartered Fellow and Environmentalist, has an MSc and MBA and has previously been a school governor. She is a member of the Women & Enterprise All Party Parliamentary Group.

Sam Kemp is currently Executive Director of Finance and Resource at, Sustrans UK and formerly worked at Save the Children International. Sam has a broad range of functional experience across various senior leadership roles. He is a Chartered Management Accountant, has a MPhil in Conservation Leadership and is a recently elected local councillor.

Retired Executive Director of Thames Rivers Trust and Deputy Chairman 2016 - 2018. Former Manager of WWF Natural Rivers programme and RSPB Freshwater Policy Officer. Lecturer in 'River basin planning and management' at Birkbeck College, University of London 2010 - 2016. Fellow of the Linnean Society of London. Keen birdwatcher, active member of the Trust's Sleaford Area Group and a local councillor.

Cathy is currently an independent consultant, leading programmes on executive readiness, leadership skills and culture change, and facilitating confidence building and emotional resilience workshops. She is the author and founder of Complete Confidence: How to Build the Confidence You Need to Enjoy Your Life. Cathy was formerly Learning Partner with ABBVIE biopharma and Capability Building Consultant with Pope-Woodhead Consulting. She is a member of Market Rasen Town Council, and has an MBA from Fordham Gabelli School of Business and a BSc from King’s College London.

Cathy shares one of her favourite wildlife moments:
"One fresh spring morning as I headed up the bumpy, muddy track to see the horses, in the field just a few yards from me were two hares boxing and, above them, a barn owl was quartering on its morning hunt."

Mark is a Trust member. He is currently Health, Safety and Environment Manager at Openfield Agriculture. He was formerly a National Consultancy Manager with Arco Professional Safety Services; Technical Manager (Liability), Sales Manager and Senior Health & Safety Consultant with NFU Mutual Risk Management Services; Business Assurance Partner and Senior Safety Advisor at Mouchel Group plc. Mark was previously an instructor with the Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force for 24 years and on the Gibraltar Point Joint Advisory Committee as a Lincolnshire County Councillor.

Caroline Steel retired from the post of Head of Conservation for Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in 2017, having spent her career in nature conservation, working locally for the Devon and Manx Wildlife Trusts and nationally for the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts. Caroline is a Chartered Environmentalist and has a MSc in Conservation. She currently volunteers as a botanical site surveyor, GLNP Wildlife Sites Panel member and Lincoln Commons Advisory Panel representative.

Jo is an experienced ACCA qualified accountant with a strong background in both a commercial and not-for profit sector. She recently joined Earthwatch Europe as Director of Finance and Operations and Company Secretary. Previously Jo worked at the Woodland Trust for 14 years in various roles including Head of Finance and Financial Accountant. Jo has experience of working in a fast-paced and busy organisation, with a proven track record of leading and managing diverse teams.