A new CEO for 
Wessex Rivers Trust

We are very excited to announce that we have recruited Dr Dave Rumble to become our new Chief Executive later this year. 

Dave will join the Trust in August after 16 years at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, 11 of which he served on the senior team. In his various roles, Dave has overseen the development and delivery of programmes of work including river and floodplain restoration, data, policy and advocacy. As a founding co-chair of the Test & Itchen Catchment Partnership, he helped establish this group alongside the rapidly growing Rivers Trust. Before his conservation career Dave spent time as an academic specialising in ecology then living and working in Papua New Guinea on an education programme.

Dave is passionate about rivers and wetlands and the wider value of catchments. Having grown-up in the area, the chalk rivers and New Forest streams are part of his DNA. He is very excited about working as part of the Trust team, as well as meeting the people and visiting the places that are key to tackling the challenges and celebrating the good things about our rivers.

Martijn Antheunisse, our current CEO will leave the Trust by the end of the summer following his decision to move back to the Netherlands with his family. It has been a difficult decision and he will miss Wessex’s chalk streams, the Trust and all the inspiring people greatly. He is, however, confident that Dave will do a great job in leading and continuing to develop the team with a focus on protecting and restoring our iconic chalk streams. Considering the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, we will arrange a suitable opportunity by the end of August to welcome Dave and say your farewells to Martijn.