Our people

Executive Team

Ian Barrett

CEO

Ian brings extensive experience in nature conservation and environmental leadership, joining Earth Trust in December 2024, after eight years as CEO of Avon Wildlife Trust where he led pioneering work on biodiversity net gain and community empowerment. His career includes roles as England South Director at Sustrans and in environmental policy within the civil service. As Chair of the West of England Nature Partnership, he has championed landscape-scale conservation and collaborative approaches to environmental challenges.

Simon Atkinson​

Director of Green Infrastructure & Nature Recovery

Simon joined Earth Trust in July 2023 after 12 years as Head of Conservation at the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country. He brings extensive experience in managing and improving urban green spaces, having delivered over 700 projects across public open spaces, nature reserves, and farmland.

Stephen Huggett

Director of Finance

A Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience, Stephen has developed financial strategies across various sectors, including manufacturing, hospitality, retail, and leisure. He has built a reputation as a pioneer in change management, bringing valuable expertise to Earth Trust’s financial operations.

Dave Lewis

Director of Operations

Dave joined Earth Trust in August 2022, leading projects to strengthen the organization’s operations. He focuses on improving visitor spaces, systems, internal processes, and volunteer engagement. Dave has primarily worked in the voluntary sector and social enterprises, helping organizations improve their relationships and engagement with the people they serve.

Helen Shone

Director of Development

Helen joined Earth Trust in April 2025 following 7 years with National Trust in fundraising development, with a focus on nature and climate, and urban green programmes. Helen is leading our communication and fundraising teams. “Earth Trust combines my passions for connecting people with nature and for nature restoration. At a time when these are both so important and urgent, Earth Trust is stepping forward with ambitious plans as a gateway to nature and for exemplary land management.”

Senior Leadership Team

Alexandra Crisp

Communications Team Lead

Alex joined Earth Trust in May 2024 and manages the communications team. She is a strategic senior communications and marketing professional who has spent her career working with brands and businesses across food production, retail, hospitality, and more recently not-for-profits with social impact, community and environmental purpose at their core. Alex is passionate about creating meaningful connections between people and purpose.

Victoria Ifould

Senior Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships Manager

Victoria joined Earth Trust in June 2024 bringing experience in fundraising, relationship management, and strategy development in roles at ShelterBox and Mary’s Meals International. Previously, Victoria worked for NGOs in Malawi managing climate change and human rights projects.

Marianne Meering

Finance Manager

Marianne is a Certified Accountant and has a degree in Environmental Studies. She joined the Trust in 2021. She has previously worked for Management Consultancy OEE, the NHS and Arthur Andersen. Marianne is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the accounts department and the production of monthly financial reports.

Tim Read

Countryside Manager

Tim joined Earth Trust in 2019. Passionate about wildlife, woodlands and the outdoors he has over 15 years of experience working in UK wildlife conservation and was most recently in ranger roles at Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and National Trust.

Colin Shone

Centre Operations Manager

Colin joined Earth Trust in March 2022, bringing experience from his previous role at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney and his work with the National Trust. He oversees the day-to-day operations of Earth Trust’s facilities and our venue hire opportunites.

Sarah Hendry

Co-Chair of Trustees

Sarah joined as Co-Chair in 2024, bringing extensive experience in national environmental policy. She chairs the UK Water Partnership and served as Director General of the Country Land and Business Association until July 2024. Sarah’s 30-year career in government includes 12 years as a director at Defra, focusing on farming, environment, and rural development.

Frank Nigriello

Co-Chair of Trustees

Frank joined as Co-Chair in 2024, bringing a wealth of business and networking experience from Oxfordshire, having represented Unipart Group in many local organisations and networks. He has chaired Oxfordshire Business First, founded the Ideas Network 2030, and served as HRH the Prince of Wales’s Responsible Business Ambassador for the Southeast, connecting local businesses and examining long-term economic trends.

Sarah Bar Lev

Trustee

Sarah is a People and Change Management Consultant at PA Consulting, specializing in the Defence and security sector. She runs the Women in Change networking group and organized the Ministry of Defence’s first TEDx event. Sarah’s background in the care and third sectors brings valuable perspective to Earth Trust.

Liz Buckle

Trustee

Liz has a long public service career, predominantly working for environmental organisations including the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Most of her roles have been to lead the development and operation of new services, manage asset portfolios and property strategy across multiple organisations, and lead the delivery of change programmes.

Stephen Dance

Chair of Finance & Risk committee

Stephen, a chartered surveyor, transitioned from private practice to senior civil service. He now works within HM Treasury and Cabinet Office on major government projects. Passionate about education, Stephen has served on various school boards and brings his rural upbringing experience to Earth Trust.

Clare Fairbrother

Trustee

Clare has over two decades of experience working in the charity sector working in fundraising at prestigious UK heritage institutions, including Historic Royal Palaces, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, and the Science Museum. Since 2016, she has run her own consultancy, specialising in trust and foundation income generation for charities across the UK.

Jane Findlay

Trustee

Jane is a pioneering landscape architect and founding Director of Fira. As a Past President of the Landscape Institute, she champions inclusive, ‘green placemaking’ that connects communities with nature. Her expertise in cultural change and broadening participation supports Earth Trust’s mission for environmental action.

John Harwood

Trustee

John is a retired senior civil servant and local government chief executive. His extensive career includes roles as Chief Executive of the UK’s Food Standards Agency and Oxfordshire County Council. John brings valuable experience from his previous tenure as Chair of the Northmoor Trust (now Earth Trust) and various other charitable organizations.

Laura Holland

Trustee

Laura is an experienced communications and engagement specialist, currently serving as Director of Strategic Marketing at the Rosalind Franklin Institute. Her background in building brand strategies and delivering impactful science and STEM programmes aligns with Earth Trust’s mission to engage the public with nature and sustainability.

Terry Hurley

Trustee

Terry has been an Earth Trust volunteer since 2019, contributing to various projects and serving as a tour guide. With a career in senior leadership roles across private industry and the public sector, he brings expertise in innovation, programme management, and people development to support Earth Trust’s strategic initiatives.

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