Staff

Max joined the team as Wildcat Project Officer in 2023. Following childhood aspirations to become a “Geordie Steve Irwin”, Max started out volunteering on local conservation projects in the North East before receiving a bachelor’s in biology at Newcastle University. After traveling abroad to study crocodilian endocrinology in his second and third years, he joined a Master’s programme in the US to study the reproductive health of crocodilian populations exposed to anabolic steroids and DDT. Alongside his research, he worked to engage local people with environmental projects at an environmental field station in New Orleans and developed a keen interest in community-led environmental action. Since then, Max has worked to support a variety of Welsh community-led environmental projects and to establish a housing co-operative for new-entrant farmers in Carmarthenshire. Office: Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

Cathy joined VWT in December 2023 as Barbastelle Conservation Officer for Pembrokeshire. Cathy’s role has emerged from the collaborative Natur Am Byth! project, which is dedicated to monitoring and supporting some of Wales’ rarest species. Cathy completed her BA in Anthropology in 2021, with environmental anthropology being a key interest of her degree. She has been a keen wildlife conservation and rescue volunteer for many years, volunteering locally and abroad in Africa and Central America with a particular background in the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds. She has also completed the BCT training in hands-on bat care. Office: Narberth, Pembrokeshire.

Carys joined the Trust in August 2024 as Senior Bat Conservation Officer. Prior to this, she spent nearly a decade at Bristol Zoological Society in various roles, most recently as UK Conservation Officer. Carys brings broad practical experience in ecology, data analysis and project management skills, as well as experience in teaching Higher Education students and working with volunteers. She holds an MSc in Wildlife and Conservation Management and has a particular interest in applied conservation action for bats. Her current research focuses on improving survey methodologies for tree-roosting species. Carys also provides bat care and rehabilitation in her spare time. Office: Ledbury

Jenny joined VWT in January 2025 as Bat Conservation Officer. Pursuing a career change to follow her passion for wildlife, she completed her BSc (Hons) in Ecology at Cardiff University in 2010. Jenny has volunteered with several local conservation organisations and worked as a freelance ecologist before moving to full-time ecological consultancy in 2021. This role allowed her to gain extensive experience in protected species surveys, mitigation, and project management. In her free time, Jenny provides bat care and rehabilitation, which also gives her opportunities to engage with the public and share her enthusiasm for bats. Office: Ledbury

Averil joined the team in October 2022 as Operations Manager, having previously worked in parish council administration as well as HR and Administration at Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and the Bulmer/Brightspace Foundation. As Operations Manager, Averil is responsible for overseeing and managing Head Office functions and helps to ensure that the company's operations run smoothly, safely and efficiently, supporting the wider conservation team to achieve the charity’s conservation and strategic goals. With oversight of the Trust’s IT and HR functions, fleet vehicles and H&S administration, as well as supporting the CEO with reviewing organisational risk and company policies, one day is never the same as another. Averil enjoys the variety of work involved in supporting a small charity in this way. When there’s time, Averil loves to join the Conservation Team at reserves to gain a greater insight into their everyday working environment, as well as learning more about threatened mammal species. Office: Ledbury

Tim joined the Trust in 2019 as Finance Officer. He has a background in both the charity sector, having previously worked for Mind Aberystwyth as its Business and Finance Officer, and in the private sector more recently with Balfour Beatty. Through both roles, Tim has a number of years of people management experience. He has a degree in Zoology and has completed his advanced diploma in accounting through the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians). Tim moved into the role as Finance Manager in 2020 and also took on the the duties of Company Secretary. Office: Ledbury.

Jane joined the Trust in 2020 as Finance Officer. She has a background in finance and administration, and has worked for a variety of organisations, including the NHS. Jane also has experience of working within the charity sector and within the retail sector. She is a fellow member of the Association of Accounting Technicians. Office: Ledbury.

Sandy joined the Trust in April 2024 as the Administration and Finance Assistant. She has a background in healthcare and regulation, administration and finance. She has worked for a variety of organisations, including the NHS, independent healthcare regulators, charities and within the retail sector. Office: Ledbury

As Fundraising and Communications Manager, Clare’s role is to provide strategic direction, vision and leadership for VWT’s fundraising and communications work in line with agreed project priorities in the Trust’s Ten-Year Strategy. Clare is an environment and engagement management specialist with a background in project development, including fundraising for major projects in the eNGO and public sectors. She has an MSc in Environmental Management (Protected Area Management) from Birkbeck University of London. Prior to joining Vincent Wildlife Trust, Clare worked for Natural Resources Wales, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and eNGOs including WWT, Woodland Trust and Canal & River Trust. Clare joined the Trust in 2024. Office: Ledbury (Hybrid).

Julia joined the Trust in 2018 as Design and Communications Officer and then moved into the role of Senior Design and Communications Officer in 2020. She has a background in conservation education and in the production of publications. Julia’s past career has included working for Kent Wildlife Trust as Education Officer where she helped develop the education programme, before taking on the role of Publications Officer and producing a range of education and marketing materials. Julia has also worked for Christian Aid as a writer and editor and, more recently, she worked for a small environmental and development charity based on an organic dairy farm. Julia is a qualified graphic designer, has a degree in Botany, an MSc in Creative (non-fiction) Science Writing and is a qualified science and primary school teacher. Office: Ledbury.