Connecting people to nature

Andy has over 25 years of countryside management experience ranging from habitat to access and National Trail management. Andy gained a National Diploma in Environmental Conservation before achieving a first-class honours degree in Environmental Studies and has recently returned to study reading a Masters degree in Ecology. Currently a Strategy Lead with the South Downs National Park Authority, Andy has also worked for AONB units and County Councils. In addition to his role with NTUK, Andy is also the current Chair of a small environmental charity in Sussex, where he lives with his wife and two children.

Father of two, living in High Wycombe for the last 24 years. Worked for the BBC for a long time, latterly for a local authority and in more recent times the NHS. In his spare time, Simon supports a number of charitable organisations – including the National Trust, Chiltern Society and the Ridgeway National Trail Partnership delivering impact and supporting the framework of good governance in the areas of strategy and finance.

Julian is the founding Chair of National Trails UK, Vice-Chair of the World Trails Network and member of Natural England’s Landscape Advisory Panel. As Director of the South West Coast Path Association, he champions England’s longest National Trail. Previously Julian was CEO of Rainforest Rescue protecting threatened and reforesting damaged rainforest internationally. He set up the Smart WaterMark, a global water conservation and certification programme. Julian worked across Europe to developed tools to help manage and brand protected landscapes. He was in the management team of the first National Landscape Conservation Board and was involved in establishing UK’s first Community Forest.

Katy is a management professional and bid writer, specialising in the natural and cultural environment. She is currently the strategic lead for protected landscapes in Norfolk, and was instrumental in uniting an AONB, a Marine Protected Area Network and a National Trail, bringing them together for the first time to deliver greater impact for nature and communities. Katy firmly believes everyone should be able to explore and feel connected to the world around them, and was instrumental in developing the multi-sensory Norfolk Way Art Trail, which takes an inclusive and welcoming approach to enjoying the nature and culture on your doorstep.

Sue has over 25 years’ experience of working at the interface of the built and natural environment. She has been the CEO of the Landscape Institute, Wandle Valley Regional Park Trust, and Design Council, as well as being the founder of the Bankside Open Spaces Trust and her own consultancy Around the Block Ltd. A Landscape Architect and lecturer by training, Sue is now working on a portfolio of interest, as a NED and advisor, supporting regenerative, resilient, and equitable cities that places landscape and nature at the heart. With specific focus on systemic governance change and long-term stewardship mechanisms.

Andrew is a data scientist, activist and avid fell-runner based in the Scottish Borders. Andrew is passionate about access to the outdoors for all. He joins the NTUK Board in campaigning for equity of access to nature for underrepresented people as a driver for tackling environmental and social crises, and brings learnings from lived experiences as founder of grassroots community ESEA Outdoors UK. Andrew also brings data and technological expertise to the Board in making data-driven decisions. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys running in the Scottish hills with his terrier and exploring his local Trail, the Southern Upland Way.

Taryn Nixon is an archaeologist and heritage management advisor. She is a member of the NTUK Board, and also a Trustee of the National Lottery Heritage Fund where she chairs its funding committee for England, London and South. She has worked in the historic environment sector for over 35 years and from 1997 to 2016 was Chief Executive of MOLA, Museum of London Archaeology. Taryn is passionate about the power of connecting people with their cultural and natural heritage for transformative social, environmental and economic benefit. She lives with her family and two coast-path-loving dogs on the edge of Dartmoor.

Ben Twomey is the Chief Executive of Generation Rent, a UK-wide non-profit campaign group. Ben was previously the director for a national children’s charity, and developed ground-breaking public policies for three different Police and Crime Commissioners. He has a Masters of Law with distinction, specialising in human rights. Ben loves walking Britain’s national trails, and has summited the tallest peaks in each of the four nations of the UK. He is a passionate advocate for access to nature, and his career has focused on empowering people to have a real say over the decisions that affect their lives.

Jeremy has been providing external communications counsel to global and UK pharmaceutical and biotech brands for the last 29 years. Following leadership positions in London and New York, he set up his own specialist healthcare communications consultancy, managing it from start-up to an established, award-winning business. From this experience Jeremy provides input and perspectives on strategy, communications, stakeholder engagement, reputation, as well as high level operational and financial experience. He also loves exploring and enjoying the great outdoors. He has completed the Ridgeway National Trail and, along with his wife and dog, is now exploring sections of many others.

Shane’s passion for the outdoors and freedom to roam stems from an Ulster childhood constrained by limited rural access with the backdrop of the Troubles. Realising the green spaces, he managed as a forester were a place of common ground where ‘trees and landscapes take no sides’, he spent his formative career working on cross community forestry led initiatives bringing communities together in Northern Ireland. A sojourn in community waste management led him back into the National Trust in a variety of roles across Wales. Currently Shane manages Powis Castle and Garden where he leads on the legacy of colonialism.