Andrew Parkinson/2020VISION
Meet the team
The Management Team
The Trust has around 78 salaried staff, 27 of which are based at our headquarters in Horncastle. We also have members based at our nature reserves, visitor centres and education centres across Lincolnshire.
Find out more about our senior management team below.
Paul Learoyd - Chief Executive
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.
Tammy Smalley - Head of Conservation
Lincolnshire is truly one of the quiet gems of the UK in regards to wildlife and the variety of habitats we have. As my birth county, I hope to build on the great successes of my predecessors.
Tammy has over 17 years of experience working in the environmental sector, including local authority, Government body, private and charitable organisations.
She has 15 years of directly inputting and influencing marine conservation, including providing best practice case studies for Defra and the European Union publications. Tammy campaigned for the Marine & Coastal Access Act and then shifted to Natural England to help take forward the marine designation programme: about 1% inshore waters to just under 50% into Marine Protected Areas in 7 years. Tammy spent the prior 7 years in the Fens and on The Wash working with the farming industry, young people, socially challenged communities and many more; tackling land management issues, introducing renewable energy technology, developing ecotourism opportunities and building a landscape approach partnership including through twinning with European neighbouring countries.
I believe we can secure multiple uses and benefits for all, and not at the cost of nature in this historic county of creative thinkers, explorers, innovators and scene setting conservationists.
Now Head of Conservation at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Tammy is working on delivering a new 25 year Conservation Strategy which will drive forward our approach on: research and building the evidence base to underpin decision making; improving and ensuring our Living Landscapes are connected and thriving throughout Lincolnshire; making sure our Living Seas are well managed inside and outside of Marine Protected Areas, and; how we will input to discussions on environmental policy and planning issues locally, regionally, nationally and globally.
Dave Bromwich - Head of Nature Reserves
Dave started his career in nature conservation with a six month college placement as the Shorebird Warden at Gibraltar Point in 1980. On finishing college he worked for the RSPB on little terns in Lincolnshire and white-tailed eagles on Mull, whilst continuing to volunteer at Gibraltar Point.
In 1986 he became the Assistant Warden at Gibraltar Point. He left in July 1989 to work on the Isle of Mull with a salmon farming company, but after only two years was back in Lincolnshire, this time as the first full-time Warden at Whisby Nature Park.
In 1998 the Trust received a £1m five year HLF grant, so Dave left Whisby for a desk at Trust HQ in Horncastle to administer the project. Before it finished, in 2002, he took over from his long-time mentor Barrie Wilkinson, as Head of Nature Reserves.
Sarah Jane Smith - Head of Finance
Sarah Jane was born in Lincoln and was brought up just over the county boundary in Newark, Nottinghamshire. After studying chemistry at the universities of East Anglia, Southampton and Loughborough, she qualified as a Chartered Accountant with a national practice. Sarah Jane then left the world of audit to join a group of local Lincolnshire newspapers, managing the finance function of the publishing and printing companies. She spent the next 17 years working in this industry, mainly dealing with Lincolnshire publications, such as the Stamford Mercury, Boston Standard, Grantham Journal and Horncastle News.
I really enjoy my role with the Trust, and love the wide range of subjects that I get involved with on a day to day basis. Being Head of Finance for the Trust involves so much more than just figures and spreadsheets!
After a relatively brief spell working in Natural England, where she worked with operational staff to help them manage their budgets more efficiently, Sarah Jane moved to work for the Trust in early 2013. She is responsible to ensuring that the finances of the charity are managed in accordance with relevant company and charity law and also oversees the areas of membership, retail trading, the Visitor Centre at Gibraltar Point, together with various aspects of office administration.
Sarah Jane loves everything geological, recently completing a BSc in Earth Sciences with the Open University. She is about to embark on an MSc with the OU in the same field of study.
Matthew Capper - Head of Public Engagement & Communications
A professional conservationist, Matthew was born in Stamford and grew up with Rutland Water on the doorstep where he volunteered during his teenage years and developed his lifelong interest in birds and other wildlife. After a Geography degree at Sheffield University he settled in the Peak District and was soon involved in bird of prey protection, the National Park Ranger Service and the local birding scene.
My love of wildlife came from regular exposure to nature as a child. We need to give children and young people the same opportunity so that they grow up caring about the world around them.
Matthew joined the RSPB in 2006 and managed people engagement projects across the north of England such as the Lake District Osprey Project. Passionate about connecting people with nature, he has led walks, activities and delivered talks for many organisations such as local bird groups, Wildlife Trusts, the National Trust and the RSPB.
More recently, Matthew was Senior Site Manager for the RSPB’s Dearne Valley nature reserves in Yorkshire including their flagship Old Moor reserve and Area Conservation Manager for the RSPB covering Yorkshire, the Humber and the Peak District. He has recently taken on the new role of Head of Public Engagement & Communications for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.
Increasingly, we are becoming disconnected from the natural world and this is bad news, not just for the environment, but our own well-being. One of our key challenges is therefore to engage and enthuse people with the fantastic landscapes and wildlife that Lincolnshire contains.
Our Trustees
Our Trustees are all local people passionate about Lincolnshire's wildlife who volunteer their time and expertise to contribute to the running of the Trust.
Meet our Trustees and find out what inspired them to give up their time for the Trust below.
Professor Libby John (Chair)
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.
Jo Woolley (Honorary Treasurer)
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.
Michael Burgass
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
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.
Kitty Hamilton
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
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
Sam Kemp is currently Global Finance Director at WWF and has previously worked for Sustrans UK and 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 an elected local councillor.
Cathy Sirett
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 Smith
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
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.
Matthew Roberts