Dave is responsible for the overall strategy and financial management of the Trust, as well as the oversight, development and integration of our delivery programmes. He leads the team and makes sure all work is aligned to the Trust's overall mission. Dave works closely with the Board of Trustees to ensure policies and procedures, both internal and external, are adhered to, and plays an active role in fundraising and major project liaison. He works collaboratively with a host of partners and stakeholders, chairing various groups, and generally flying the flag for rivers, catchments, and the wider environment of Wessex.
Andy Blincow
Andy joined the Trust in 2018 following a number of years in ecological consultancy, primarily delivering water environment projects for the public and private sectors. Andy’s main role at the Trust is the development and delivery of river and floodplain restoration projects, predominantly across the Test & Itchen catchments. He also leads on the Trust’s ecological and protected species surveys, holding Natural England crayfish and bat licences. In 2023, Andy was awarded Chartered Environmentalist status with the Institute of Fisheries Management.
Alex Deacon
Alex is an environmental scientist with over 10 years’ experience in the sector. Alex started his career with the Environment Agency’s fisheries and environmental monitoring teams in the Thames region. From here he moved into ecological consultancy in the north west of England, undertaking impact assessments for a wide range of infrastructure and restoration projects. He enjoys working with stakeholders and the challenges associated with solving the often complex environmental issues faced by our rivers.
Mike Blackmore
Mike has over 15 years experience of river restoration. He manages the Habitats Team and leads on design and delivery of their restoration and enhancement projects. Mike also leads on the Trust’s procurement and contract management, and oversees much of the Trust’s health and safety, logistics, and technical development
Matt Irvine
Matt graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a BSc (Hons) degree in Environmental Science, during which time he cut his teeth as a volunteer with the Trent Rivers Trust. He went on to work for the Northern District Salmon Fisheries Board on the River Naver in Sutherland. From there he worked for the Northumberland Rivers Trust on a series of fish passage and natural flood management projects before moving south to work as a consultant with Cain Bio-Engineering Ltd. Matt brings with him a passion for the natural world and 10 years’ experience of working on a range of river restoration projects.
Amy Ellis
Amy is a Youth Engagement Officer, who works with young people, aged 10-14 years old, on youth social action projects related to their local blue spaces.
Monica Howard
Monica is a qualified bookkeeper with over 8 years’ experience. Her AATQB status demonstrates her commitment to high standards and ethics in accounting. Monica is not only keen to develop her bookkeeping skills while working at the Wessex Rivers Trust, but is keen to learn more about the chalk stream rivers in the Wessex region. Monica is also the part-time bookkeeper for Winchester Rugby Club.
Courtney Brain
Courtney began working on rivers as a seasonal survey assistant for the Ribble Rivers Trust whilst gaining her IFM diploma. From there Courtney moved up to Galloway in Southwest Scotland to work on the Saving the Sparling Project aiming to increase awareness and reconnect the community with the Sparling, a rare species that was once common around the British Isles. Now Courtney is ready for a bigger challenge, co-ordinating Invasive Non-Native Species removal and monitoring on the Test and Itchen Catchments!
Jon Bass
Jon is a freshwater ecologist by background whose professional life was spent with the UK Natural Environment Research Council. He worked initially for the Freshwater Biological Association, then the Institute of Freshwater Ecology and latterly the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. His key interest is in freshwater invertebrates and the nutrient dynamics of chalk streams. Jon served on the Biodiversity Steering Group for the white clawed crayfish and the Chalk Rivers Steering Group and operates our river temperature loggers. He currently represents Wessex Rivers Trust on the EA SW Liaison Panel, the Stour Catchment Initiative and Steering Group, and the Dorset-wide Monitoring Group.
Candi Orcheston-Findlay
Candi joined Wessex Rivers Trust in 2022 and provides both executive support to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees and oversees the Trust’s Human Resources.
Mairin Williams
Mairin grew up alongside the River Bourne near Salisbury where her life-long passion for water and wildlife began. She earned an integrated master’s in Oceanography at the University of Southampton where she became actively engaged in conservation efforts. Since 2016, Mairin has volunteered for Surfers Against Sewage as a Regional Representative where she focuses on solving local plastic and sewage pollution problems. Post-graduation, she worked as a research assistant and then as a science educator. Now, leveraging her teaching, science and public engagement experience, she serves as both a River Educator and Catchment Assistant, where she facilitates impactful projects to restore our chalk rivers and inspire future generations.
Neil Swift
After starting his career in the advertising industry, a lifelong love of fish and fishing lead Neil back to education at Sparsholt College where he gained a BSc in Aquaculture and Fishery management. Since then he has spent seven years working for the National Trust, as River Keeper at Mottisfont Abbey on the river Test. During this time Neil was responsible for the practical management of the fishery, overseeing the day-to-day maintenance alongside planning and delivering projects to improve and enhance the chalk stream habitats of the estate.
Natalie Sharp
As the Projects Administrator, Natalie's role is to provide administrative support to projects throughout the project lifecycle. She works within the Habitats team to help ensure projects are managed effectively, working with the team on any administration tasks they require, from project start up to claims and other project requirements in-between. This includes creating processes and systems to help projects run smoothly and trying to reduce project risks where possible. She also creates process maps and procedures and helps to implement any improvements. Occasionally assisting with surveys and practical tasks with the team out on sites where required.
Tracy Standish
Tracy is responsible for delivering the education elements of four projects: the Watercress and Winterbournes Landscape Partnership Scheme, ‘Our River, Our Water’ with the Rivers Trust South East and Southern Water, the Crystal Clear Ebble and the Wider Wylye.
The role includes working closely with the wider Education and Engagement team, managing the Trust’s River Educators and Education Volunteers, as well as helping lead on the development and delivery of education programmes for schools, uniformed groups and home education groups around the Wessex area.
In addition, Tracy is the Trust’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, responsible for safeguarding and providing the relevant training to volunteers and staff.
Alex McKay
Since joining in 2021, Alex has been focussed on sharing the fantastic work of the Wessex Rivers Trust with the public.
Ross Irving
Ross has a BSc (Hons) in Geography and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. He has been the headteacher of two successful primary schools and has worked for the Hampshire Inspection and Advisory Service. This experience is used by the Trust to help ensure education programmes are well linked to the National Curriculum and directly develop the geographical and scientific knowledge and skills of children. As a river educator, Ross is passionate about empowering young people to conserve and sustain natural environments. Ross helps to deliver the education programme of fieldwork, lessons and assemblies in schools.
Matt Salter
Matt is the Project Assistant of the Habitats Team and supports development, preparation, and delivery of a range of river conservation projects. As the PA, he works across all catchments, gaining experience (and having the most fun) from a diverse range of projects tackling different issues that face our rivers. In addition, Matt manages our GIS database, providing outputs to support reports, permitting and stakeholder engagement.
Steffie Haynes
Steffie’s background is in marine science. Prior to joining the Trust, she was a full-time primary school teacher for nine years. She brought her passion for the natural world into her role as Geography lead – developing and writing the school’s curriculum to facilitate a love of the environment in all pupils. Sense of place and nature connection are core values that she wishes to bring to her work with the Trust. Steffie was born and grew up on the Isle of Wight and is keen to teach its next generation about Island rivers: their importance, their ecology, and how to protect them. She is Wessex Rivers Trust's first member of staff on the IOW and is working on the Southern Water funded Our River, Our Water project.
Kate Carpenter
Since graduating with a Biological Sciences (Zoology honours) degree, Kate has volunteered with a number of environmental organisations, assisting with countryside management tasks and providing environmental education activities. She is currently a joint leader for her local Wildlife Watch group
Working as a Road Safety Officer and School Travel Plan Advisor, she delivered road safety education to people of all ages, working particularly with junior school children to deliver cycle training courses as well as working with members of the public at events and with schools to encourage sustainable travel. Kate is really excited to be able to utilise her education work experience to share her passion for wildlife and conservation with others.
David Swan
David’s background is in Science and Engineering and in 2016 he changed career to become a teacher. He has a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Science), is a Hampshire Outdoor Leader and a Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Leader. As a wild swimmer, kayaker and amateur sailor, David spends much of his free time in or around Wessex Rivers. David is keen to inspire young conservationists, highlight the importance of biodiversity conservation and promote the protection of our remaining natural resources. He is passionate about wildlife, ecology and conservation and is eager to share this with the next generation through river education sessions with the Trust
Karl Dean
Studied Ecology & Environmental Science at the University of Gloucestershire (BSc hons) and furthered this with a Masters in applied Ecology (MSc) at the same institution. Karl is a new recruit to Wessex Rivers Trust, covering Courtney Brain, Test & Itchen Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) Project Coordinator, who is now on maternity leave. As the new INNS Project Coordinator, Karl will be furthering the goal of reducing the distribution and abundance of Invasive Non-Native flora and fauna through monitoring species distributions and control methods including volunteer events to remove Himalayan Balsam, Orange Balsam, Monkey flower and more.
Wendy Reid
Wendy manages the Education and Engagement team including the Trust’s Education Officer, Communications Officer, Blue Mentor, River Educators and Work Industry Placements. Wendy oversees all education projects, events and communications. The role also involves coordinating Trust volunteers, securing funding for future work and pushing the development of the team.