Lifelong passion
I’ve had a lifelong interest in nature. It started from childhood and part of it never left me. When I took up nature photography, I expanded my knowledge, learned even more and that passion doubled. I had been a member of the Wildlife Trusts for years, before volunteering to become a Trustee, first at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and now with LRWT. It’s always been interesting and I’ve never regretted it. My main driver is a desire to see the Trust safeguard nature as an essential part of our daily lives. Even though I’m retired, I bring professional skills from my work life. Being a Trustee seemed a natural fit. One of the things I enjoy about being a Trustee, in addition to the importance of the work, is the chance to work with people from different backgrounds who share a common purpose.
Important and rewarding
The role of the Council of Trustees is to ensure good governance as a charitable body. It’s important that we get this right; it’s how our members, partners and authorities know that we are fit for purpose. Our role covers legal and regulatory requirements as a charity, a company, an employer and a landowner. Trustees also have responsibilities to provide strategic direction and oversight to tackle the challenges going forward. We look at new and creative ways to address the severe loss of wildlife, climate change and their combined impacts on Leicestershire and Rutland. Being part of a successful Wildlife Trust can be very rewarding.