Trustees

Cormorant stretching wings

Trustees

Trust Officers

Chair – Sarah Lister

Photo of trustee Sarah Lister

Sarah is a qualified Chartered Accountant and currently works in a senior role at a North East based homelessness charity. Sarah became a trustee in 2013 and previously served as the Trust’s treasurer before taking on the role of Chair in 2019.  

Treasurer – Tony Pensom

Trustee Tony Pensom

Tony has significant experience in a variety of senior roles in the business world and also as a treasurer in the charity sector. Tony joined the Board of Trustees in 2020.

Honorary Secretary - Faye Butler

Photo of trustee Faye Butler

Faye has a nursing background, serving at a senior level in the NHS before retirement when she joined the Trust’s volunteer team to keep active and support the Trust’s work. Faye became a trustee in 2018.

Other members of the Board of Trustees

Nigel Bell 

Nigel Bell Trustee

Now retired, Nigel worked for many years on land and planning issues at a senior level in both the public and private sectors. His planning and procurement experience adds to the knowledge available to the Board on land related issues at a time when the charity is expanding its own land interests. 

Peter Bell

Peter Bell photo

Peter worked in local government for many years as an ecologist and countryside manager, within the planning system. His passion is ornithology and he is a long standing supporter of Durham Wildlife Trust. Peter’s current term as a trustee began in 2016.

Michael Coates

Michael Coates Trustee

Michael has a background in HR and today runs his own management consultancy; a role he combines with leading the Trust’s annual dragonfly monitoring scheme. 

Kirsty Crozier 

Kirsty Crozier Trustee

Kirsty’s background is in nursing and adult care where she has experience in senior management roles in the both the charity and private sectors. Kirsty’s current role as a Managing Director working in adult care allows her to apply her significant knowledge and skills to the effective governance of Durham Wildlife Trust. 

Paul Davidson

Paul Davidson photo

Paul was a Chartered Insurance Practitioner before retiring. Born and bred in Gateshead, Paul is passionate about conserving wildlife and in retirement became a practical volunteer for the Trust. He is also a volunteer at Radio Tyneside. Paul became a Trustee in 2020.

Chris Gorman

Photo of trustee Chris Gorman

Chris has an engineering background and worked at a senior management level in the utilities sector, supporting the Trust as a corporate member and as a trustee.

Dr Vivien Kent

Dr Vivien Kent

Vivien had a successful career in the media before switching careers and studying for a PhD in Conservation Biology and Anthropology at Durham. Vivien worked for a number of years in the DWT conservation team and is now an independent wildlife and conservation biologist. Vivien became a trustee in 2019.

Harvey Neve 

Harvey Neve Trustee

Harvey has many years’ experience in digital, data and technology issues in the public and private sectors. His specialist skills around operational and programme management and use of technology will support Durham Wildlife Trust to develop its own digital capacity and create active, meaningful engagement.   

Scott Wilson-Laing 

Scott’s varied skill set has been developed by running his own business. His entrepreneurial approach and excellent networking skills enhance the charity’s links to the local business community and provide insight on how Durham Wildlife Trust can best promote its work and the benefits created for local communities.