Meet the team

David's journey with the Trust began in 2007, when he joined as an Education, Wildlife, and Outreach Officer in Hackney. He played a pivotal role in the development and delivery of Woodberry and Walthamstow Wetlands.

Over time, his role evolved to Director of Development, where he led the Fundraising and Marketing teams. As well as managing the development of London Wildlife Trust’s large-scale natural heritage and habitat restoration projects across London. David was appointed as CEO in 2023.

David's expertise extends to forging partnerships across the public, private, and charity sectors. He is passionate about nature recovery and reconnecting people to the natural world. Focusing on the transformation of urban spaces to benefit both people and wildlife.

Mathew leads on nature conservation advocacy to exert a positive influence on policy and practice in London that helps to bring about a wilder, biodiverse and greener city, which is inclusive to all. He works on a range of partnerships, collaborative approaches and leadership to help achieve this.  He also leads on the Trust’s biodiversity research and climate change adaptation and carbon work, both with a range of peer and partner organisations.

Fascinated by the relationship between nature and society in cities, Mathew first joined the Trust in 1988, and has since served three terms as a member of staff, and (between 2002-09) as a trustee. He is a Full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management, Society for the Environment, and a Green Flag Award judge.

Leah joined London Wildlife Trust in 2007, she has since held a range of senior roles as the organisation has grown and significantly developed. Leah is responsible for overseeing strategic areas centred around people’s engagement with nature and now leads on the development and delivery of a range of outdoor learning, youth and community programmes. She currently oversees the second phases of ‘Keeping it Wild’ and ‘Great North Wood Living Landscape’ as well as a range of partnership projects involving the public, private and charity partners across London. Leah leads on the Trust’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work and leads a team of approximately 10 staff.

Leah has previously led on the redevelopment of the Trust’s iconic Visitor & Learning Centre at Camley Street Natural Park in Kings Cross, overseeing the development, design and construction phases. Camley Street reopened to the public in October 2021. She has also overseen the first three years of delivery at Walthamstow Wetlands ‘Europe’s Largest urban Wetlands’ which opened to the public in October 2017.’ Leah was responsible for the Trust taking on an enhanced role as long-term Delivery Provider at Walthamstow from February 2021. She has also led the set up of operations (commercial and activity) at Woodberry Wetlands during the first three years after Woodberry was opened to the public by Sir David Attenborough in May 2016.

Leah has a wealth of experience and expertise in the areas of major project development and management, fundraising, visitor centre development & operations, community consultation & engagement, outdoor learning, youth involvement, community engagement and volunteering, all within the context of urban nature conservation. Leah's experience is wide-ranging and spans the arts, play, parks and conservation sectors. She has significantly increased on-the-ground project delivery during her time at the Trust through projects such as Woodberry Wetlands, Natural Estates, Crane Valley Community Project and Wild London Inclusive London.

Charlie joined London Wildlife Trust in October 2021 having worked closely over the previous four years mobilising and managing Walthamstow Wetlands as a partnership project with the London Borough of Waltham Forest. 

Her background is in events and hospitality, with extensive experience managing cafés, high-profile events and overseeing visitor operations across a range of unique London heritage venues. 

Responsible for the operational management of the Trust's visitor centre nature reserves; Walthamstow, Woodberry and Camley Street as well as generating commercial income through a programme of ticketed events, private hire, retail and cafés.

With an emphasis on visitor experience, she is focused on developing the customer journey across all our reserves. Ensuring that visitors feel welcomed and engaged with a diverse offer that appeals to a broad range of audiences across London and beyond.

Rufus joined ITV in 2011 as Group Marketing and Research Director, leading a transformation of all of ITV’s marketing and research activities. In January 2013, ITV rebranded its entire business, creating a multi-award winning identity and leading to a new marketing approach across all of ITV’s touch points. This work has led to ITV winning Media Week’s brand of the year, Drum’s rebrand of the year, the Grand Prix at the Transform Awards and ITV’s first ever IPA Effectiveness Award. More recently Rufus oversaw the marketing of ITV’s first new channel launches for over eight years, as well as the re-launch of on-demand service ITV Hub.

Rufus previously spent 10 years at Channel 4. Joining as part of E4’s launch marketing team, Rufus played a key role in the launch of one of the UK’s most successful youth brands, winning Media Week’s launch of the year. Rufus helped lead the further development of the Channel 4 family with the launch of More4 and the pioneering 4oD service.

Rufus started his career in advertising, working at McCann Erickson and JWT as an account manager, working on blue chip FMCG clients including Kellogg, L’Oreal and Nescafe, as well as Gulf Air’s first ever UK advertising using the language skills he developed studying French and Arabic at Oxford University.

Stephen is a Non-Executive Director of the British Coatings Federation and currently runs his own Marketing and Business Consultancy. Formerly Global Marketing Director for the Trade Business in AkzoNobel’s Decorative Coatings Division, he retired in 2015, after 33 years of service.

With extensive knowledge of marketing, business, brand, and communication strategy and customer insight, he held previous roles as Director of Marketing in EMEA and UK Trade Marketing Director for AkzoNobel and ICI.

He has lived and worked in the UK and Malaysia and graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in chemistry followed by a doctorate from the University of Cambridge, when he joined ICI.

With a lifelong interest in nature and wildlife, Stephen firmly believes that engaging and demonstrating the awe and wonder of wildlife to people will ensure that wildlife flourishes and people enjoy the benefits in wellbeing that this brings. He wants to be an active part of the London Wildlife Trust which has a vital role in making this connection real and tangible for all Londoners in the short and long term.

Hannah is a chartered accountant with a background in audit and forensic accounting before moving to the not-for-profit sector 8 years ago. Since then she has been Head of Finance/Finance Director of several charities; her current role is at the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce). When Hannah moved to London, she missed the countryside but soon realised that London has plenty of wildlife and green spaces of its own. Hannah really enjoys helping on task days at her local nature reserve and is a member of their Friends Committee which helps to manage the reserve. Hannah would love the opportunity to use her experience to help London’s wildlife to thrive.  

Marcus is an architect, masterplanner and Managing Partner of JTP; an award-winning UK architectural practice with studios in London and Bristol.

With 20 years’ strategic leadership experience, Marcus’s approach is founded on long-term vision, adaptability and resilience to challenges.  At JTP, he has overseen significant organisational change and growth, whilst establishing a people-first culture which has seen the practice recognised nationally as a best employer. 

With extensive experience of large-scale regeneration projects across the UK and internationally including new urban quarters, mixed-use neighbourhoods and garden communities he has created places that are ecologically rich and climate resilient, and that contribute to nature recovery and biodiversity net gain. Marcus strongly believes in meaningful community and stakeholder engagement and drives design excellence and innovation through participatory and collaborative co-design processes.

Marcus has long been a supporter of the London Wildlife Trust and has most recently collaborated with the Trust in creating new bio-diverse parkland at The Green Quarter in Southall.

In his role as Trustee, Marcus is committed to actively advocating for nature recovery initiatives and championing the value of wildlife and nature in the city.

Over the last ten years Kapila has championed the use of evidence in improving organisational decision-making. Most recently Kapila worked at the think tank Doteveryone and led their research on the gig economy and public attitudes to advocate for a more responsible technology sector. Prior to that Kapila worked at the disability charity Scope where he helped transform them into an evidence and impact led organisation. Before that Kapila started his career as an Economist in the public sector. He wants to be a trustee because he loves London, but dreams of it being wilder and more nature-friendly. He hopes to help the Trust make wildlife more accessible to more Londoners. 

Dani joined Netflix in 2018 and is currently Director of Marketing, Planning & Operations for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to Netflix, Dani led marketing efforts at BAFTA and the BBC - working across high-profile nature programming including Planet Earth II, Blue Planet II, Great Barrier Reef, Big Blue Live and Wild Alaska Live. Over the last 10 years she has been committed to furthering the integration of climate topics and eco practices into the TV industry, and is passionate about inspiring and enabling connection with the natural world, through broadcasting and beyond. 

Outside of work, Dani is a travel writer and wildlife photographer, often found adventuring, trail running and exploring the wild spaces of North London. 

In 2020, Dani was named as one of the world’s most promising marketers in The Drum’s Future 50 List, and was selected for the Women In Film & TV mentoring scheme in 2022. In 2024, Dani was recognised as a Climate Changemaker by the Edinburgh International TV Festival for her contributions to climate awareness. Dani holds a certification in Sustainable Development from The Earth Institute at Columbia University, and a First Class Honours degree from King’s College London. 

Tony’s career in nature conservation encompassed a variety of roles with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), from threatened species breeding programmes, through to nature reserve management, visitor centre creation and operation, and as Chief Executive.

Tony was initially based at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire and later in Llanelli, where he delivered and operated WWT’s wetland based visitor centre in Wales, alongside the local authority. Then, back at Slimbridge, he was to manage the Millennium Conservation Visitor Centre and oversaw the creation and opening of the London Wetland Centre in Barnes in 2000, in partnership with Thames Water and Berkeley Homes. These were three quite different places to share his passion for birds and nature with new audiences, young and old alike.

In 2003, Tony became the RSPB’s Director for South West England, responsible for nature reserves, visitor centres and commercial operations throughout the region, until retiring in 2015. During his time in Exeter, he was on the Heritage Lottery Fund’s South West Committee and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership Board.

Since retiring in 2015, Tony has been a Trustee of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Chair of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and a Biffa Award Board member. He is currently Chair of the Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership.

Tony moved back to the Southeast three years ago and now lives in South West London, where he is discovering and rediscovering some wonderful urban and suburban nature rich sites, both locally and further afield in London.

Shara works at the European Climate Foundation in the UK Programme, supporting the UK climate community to ensure a fair transition to net zero emissions. Prior to joining the ECF, Shara has worked in various roles in policy and political campaigns in not-for-profit organisations. Shara started her career as a graduate at Green Alliance, an environmental think tank, working for the Greener UK coalition. Shara has lived in London for several years, after moving from her hometown in the Midlands, and is excited to support the Trust to empower citizens to connect with their local natural world.

Shara holds a BA in International Relations and a MSc in Sustainability and Consultancy.

Rachel is a Chartered Environmentalist with over 40 years’ experience in providing environment and sustainability advisory services. She has worked in the Property, Infrastructure and Government sectors, most of it in London and the Southeast. She has developed company environment and sustainability strategies and led their implementation, through engagement of staff and integration of processes, leading to the generation of significant environmental benefits.

Rachel has extensive experience over the full range of environment and sustainability disciplines, giving her a wide understanding of their application and integration to make a successful business. Her experience was instrumental in achieving the high standards of environment and sustainability performance in her roles on construction and operation of the High Speed 1 railway.  This was recognised nationally by two industry awards. She was the Winner of the National Rail Awards - Outstanding Personal Contribution (Management) award (2013) and received an MBE for Services to the Rail Industry (2014).

As a Client Representative for Environment and “critical friend” her interest in working as a Trustee developed. She is a currently a trustee for The Southwood Foundation in 2018, following her work assisting with the preparation of the application for Charitable status and developing relevant objects and strategies. Rachel is also helping to develop a volunteer hub, connecting volunteer ecologists with community groups requiring ecological advice, in Sussex with the Sussex Wildlife Trust.

Andrew is currently Chief Impact Officer for Foodsteps, a London based tech company that provides environmental impact data for food. He founded foodmadegood.org and oneplanetplate.org during his tenure as CEO of the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA). The SRA is a London based not for profit organisation that helps hospitality businesses make better decisions for the planet and for wildlife.

Andrew has held board positions with the Zero Carbon Forum and WRAPs Courtauld Commitment. The common thread between all these is the focus on addressing the climate and nature crisis through changing our food system. Andrew brings knowledge of hospitality, food and climate and aims to help support the trusts hospitality work, and its use of food to engage new audiences in conservation.

Andrew is a geography graduate and has an MSc in Business Strategy and the Environment. He has two small children, Elijah and Maeve who share his love of animals and time spent in nature. He wants them to grow up in a world where nature and biodiversity are protected and once again thrive.

"I'm Alex and I'm 23 years old. This is my first year on the London Wildlife Trust Youth Board. I'm passionate about environmental recovery in our city and open access to nature. I am originally from the United States and work in the financial trading space." 

"My name is Anelechi and I am in my final year of sixth form studying Politics, Psychology and English. I have decided to get involved with London Wildlife Trust because as an aspiring human rights lawyer I am aware that the climate crisis is a human right crisis as well as an environmental crisis. In my free time I love to explore parks and woodlands ;therefore, as young person I believe it is important to maintain a culture to protect our wildlife."

"I’m 19 years old, and autistic. I enjoy taking walks in nature, especially Walthamstow Wetlands! I am currently taking a gap year, after which I hope to go to university to study Politics & International Relations. I have a strong interest in climate change, nature, and environmental conservation. In the past, I have taken part in Activate the City’s Youth Climate Lab and Waltham Forest Council’s Climate Leaders course. I am also a Young Advisor for Waltham Forest Council."

"My name is Io and nature is important to me because it sustains life and biodiversity. It provides clean air and water which is particularly important in a busy city such as London. But beyond the practical nature inspires awe, creativity and an appreciation for our beautiful world. By protecting nature and wildlife we not only protect the environment but our physical and mental well being."

"I’m Jiya (she/her). I’m going into my 3rd year studying Biology at university. I love all things wild and green, nature journaling, long walks and wild swims. Currently learning more about wildlife filmmaking, painting and general science communication."

"I’m Julia and I am really happy to be part of the London Wildlife Trust Youth Board this year! I believe the planet has given us so much beauty and resources to us that it's time to show some much-needed love back​! I am Scottish and half Mongolian- a developing country which has historically been nomadic. Due to Mongolia’s nomadic nature culturally, we have been very dependent on our environment and weather conditions. This has led to all of our literature, poems, art and culture to have nature at its core and same with Scotland’s natural beauty!  In my day job I work in an environment team and have had multiple experiences in advocacy and youth engagement to stand up for the environment."

"I’m Lily and I’m from Lewisham. I have recently graduated with an MSci in Biology following the completion of my research project on the sensory capabilities of bumblebees and the resulting implications for conservation efforts. I am so excited to be a part of the London Wildlife Trust Youth Board! I am looking forward to being a part of a unit of passionate people working towards a greener and more sustainable future for London."

"I have always been passionate about nature however I lacked the opportunities to meaningfully engage which is why the youth board has been extremely helpful in giving me a platform to let my voice be heard. I am keen to learn from the youth board about the barriers of access to green spaces as well as how to overcome these challenges. Including young voices from diverse backgrounds is key to highlighting the financial and diversity challenges that are faced in environmental processes."

"My name is Nishat, I'm 22, and I have a deep passion for gardening, plants, and wildlife conservation. I'm also interested in food growing and community gardens, where I can connect with others who share my love for nature. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my cat, Aegi, who often watches birds with me!"

"Having autism and ADHD I am passionate about neurodiversity awareness as well as diversity particularly within the healthcare and environmental sector. Although the never-ending learning, I am particularly interested in butterflies and bird identification, as well as hiking and campaigning. I am an international athlete, gender-based violence activist and public speaker. I hope to enhance my leadership skills whilst inspiring young voices from marginalised backgrounds to explore their love for nature."

"Some of my best memories have been formed in nature. I am so excited to be able to give back to the nature reserves that have brought me so much joy, especially through the intense time of sixth form. I want to be able to campaign for more natural spaces for people in London and be part of protecting the spaces we already have. I am looking forward to hearing what Londoners and young people want to improve at the reserves and working hard to make it happen as I want everyone to be able to utilise the space as much as they can. It is amazing to be part of a group that will bring young people’s voices to the forefront and give us agency as we will be the ones suffering the acute effects of climate change and a loss of biodiversity."

"Growing up, I developed an unparalleled connection to the natural world from my visits to my parent’s ancestral homes in Kerala, a coastal state along the southwestern borders of India known for its ecological wonders. I have felt the most at home when I have been able to immerse myself in nature and lucky enough to encounter and witness wildlife in such spaces. Over the years, however, I have come to realise that who you are, where you are from, and other socio-economic factors impact access to green spaces immensely, and I want to change that. By being part of the youth board, I want to bring in this mission of mine, which resonates deeply with that of London Wildlife Trust, to ensure that urban nature reserves and wildlife are as accessible as possible to everyone, no matter their background, and help more and more people realise how special and impactful it can be to connect with the natural world around them. It is with access to and conservation of the natural world and advocacy for marginalised communities in mind that I am currently doing my Masters in Environment, Politics and Development."