Our Structure

Governance

Overall responsibility for the governance and strategic direction of Somerset Wildlife Trust rests with our Board of Trustees (or Council). All Trustees provide their services on a voluntary basis and contribute many hours of un-paid service to the charity. They bring to the organisation a wide range of experience in the voluntary sector, nature conservation, business and other related areas of expertise.

The Trustees are elected by the membership of the Trust at our Annual General Meeting which takes place in October each year.

Current Trustees:

Bob Corns, Richard Denton-Cox (Treasurer), Julian Hoskins, Peter Keggin, Norman Lees (Secretary), Rebecca Pow, Nicky Saunter, Patricia Stainton (Vice Chairman), Eve Tigwell (Chairman), Edward Wells, Tim Saunders, Helen Lawy.

Staff

The Trust is led by our CEO (Chief Executive Officer) who reports to the Board of Trustees and is responsible for the day to day running of the Trust. Our CEO is Simon Nash and he is supported by three directors.

The Conservation Team - Director, Lisa Schneidau
The team includes the Reserve Officers and Estate Workers who care for our 75 nature reserves, our Living landscape staff, planning and advocacy, and wider countryside advisory officers.

The Communities and Learning Team - Director, Janet Keeble (currently on Maternity leave)
The team encompasses our work in the wider community through volunteering, education and a range of other activities.

The Resources team - Director, Andrew Davis
The resources team are the behind the scenes support. We have membership staff, fundraisers, finance and communications staff and a HR and facilities manager, all vital to support the Trust’s wide ranging work.

The Team
The Trust now employees about 40 full and part time staff who are all strongly committed to the work of the charity and its work for Somerset’s natural world. Some members of staff have been with the Trust for many years others are employed for shorter periods on specific projects. Our paid staff are often assisted by volunteers who allow us to do things we could not otherwise do.

To get in touch with the teams click here.

Honorary positions

There are also a number of voluntary honorary positions within the Trust.

Patron: Simon King

Simon King is a wildlife film maker and presenter and lives in Somerset. He is probably best known through the BBC’s Spring and Autumnwatch programmes. You can find out more about Simon by visiting his Wildlife Whisper website.

President: Lord Skelmersdale

Vice-Presidents: Dudley Cheesman, Lady Glass, Ralph Clark, Roger Martin, Chris Sperring and Stephen Moss

How is the Trust funded?

The funding for our core work comes through membership subscriptions, legacies, local fundraising activities and a range of other local initiatives. The only regular government support that we receive is linked to land that we manage under High Level Stewardship agreements, through DEFRA.

Our project work, for example our Brue valley Living Landscape Project, is funded through a variable mix of charitable trust funding, private donations, European funding through the EU WAVE Programme in partnership with Somerset County Council and The Landfill Communities Fund.

Our membership and volunteers

Somerset Wildlife Trust (formally known as The Somerset Trust for Nature Conservation) was formed in 1964 by a group of individuals who recognised the desperate need to take action to secure the future of wildlife in our wonderful and diverse County.

From the small beginning of fifteen members who joined by paying £1 each at the inaugural meeting the Trust has grown to be Somerset’s leading environmental charity with over 21,000 members. This has been achieved through the hard work and dedication of the Trust’s members and volunteers. Volunteers are the life blood of the Trust and they have transformed it from a small band of dedicated members to a vital and influential charity with 75 nature reserves, 10 area groups, many specialist and practical conservation groups and hundreds of volunteers working in support of the Trust. This growth brought the need for part and full time staff to support the work of the volunteers and to expand the Trust’s activities and influence.

Our 21,000 members vary from those with an armchair interest, through to those who have had a lifelong involvement in nature conservation. We have parents and grandparents who join so that their children and grandchildren can develop an interest through our Watch Groups. Some are visitors to Somerset who fall in love with the County. Others are those who are worried about the future of the natural world and want to strengthen the work of the Trust.

Our core funding comes from our members whose annual subscriptions provide the essential backbone of funding for the work of the Trust. The Trust is hugely grateful to those that have chosen to leave a gift in their will to us. Twice a year we have appeals which raise further vital funds for specific projects. Our local group volunteers also raise money through a range of activities, including plant sales, walks and talks.

Want more information?

For an overview of our work click here
For information about membership click here.
For information about volunteering click here.