In line with constitutional requirements, one third of the trustees will be standing for re-election, these are usually the people who have been in place for the longest period.
As members you are asked to approve the re-appointment of the following trustees:
Bob Holmes
I am a chartered accountant who acts as a professional trustee for three defined benefit pension schemes and provides strategic and financial advice to owner-managed businesses. I was a Non-Executive Member of the Dover Harbour Board between 2005 and 2013 and continue to chair their Board of Pension Trustees. From 2006 to 2015 I was a Non-Executive Director of Basildon Hospital, and their Acting Chairman for the last 6 months of my term. I also have many years’ experience as finance director for a range of organisations including Stena Line (UK) Ltd and Prism Rail PLC.
I was first appointed a Trustee in 2016, but stepped down in 2018 when I expected to be moving out of the County. The move did not happen and I was delighted to re-join the Board of Trustees as Treasurer in 2020 since when I have continued to bring my financial, commercial and governance experience to the Trust, ensuring that it makes best use of all of its resources to promote the aims and deliver the objectives that we all share.
I have lived in Peldon, near Colchester since 2001 and play an active part in village life as Trustee and Management Committee Chairman of Peldon & Wigboroughs Community Hall, Treasurer of our Parish Church and Trustee of the Friends of the Church.
Elin Simonsson
I’m a specialist in audience engagement with extensive experience of leading high-impact learning and visitor experience activities (e.g. interpretation, exhibitions, creative programming, masterplans, events), across museum, heritage, science and nature sectors, including The RHS, The Natural History Museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum and The National Trust.
In my current role, I direct creative programming, exhibitions, experiences and interpretation across all RHS Gardens, leading our talented Public Engagement team that deliver activities that bring gardens and gardening to life.
As someone who has always had an interest in nature, it is a privilege to use my skills to shape how we engage our audiences at Essex Wildlife Trust, encouraging more people to care for, champion and protect the wildlife of Essex.
James Wren
I have worked across a range of organisations from event management companies to banks and charities. I have spent the last 20 years in the charity and leisure sector in fundraising, marketing and communication roles. I am currently the Director of Fundraising at the Zoological Society of London, a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. ZSL leads ground-breaking science, operates conservation programmes in over 60 countries and directly engages with over 2 million people annually through ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo as well as reaching audiences across the world.
I live in Essex and spend much of my spare time outdoors (I can often be spotted running, cycling or walking in the amazing landscapes of Essex throughout the year!). I am also a Trustee for Sense About Science and being part of the Essex Wildlife Trust I want to bring all my experience together to help protect the amazing wildlife that resides, or visits, the county!
Michelle Wall
I was born in Wiltshire and moved back to Essex as a child, where my family have lived for generations. I am very proud to say that I love the Essex countryside and spend much of my spare time outside. I have two children and three grandchildren and believe that the best education and foundation for learning comes from being in the wild green spaces of the county.
My career has been within the Human Resources and Learning and Development profession, working in many different sectors but most recently the Technical industry . Whilst data technology might be seen as far away from nature as you can possibly get, it plays a great part in understanding our natural world from research and monitoring giving us insight, that can be used to enable our cause. Technology can also give access to many people so that they can see the natural world and habitats that they might otherwise not be able to access.
Throughout my career I have been responsible for welfare, engagement and sustainability, I hope that my skills will aid the Trust's strategy in these areas for staff, volunteers and members alike.
I worry that future generations will not see our environment and green spaces in the same way as I have been able and I want to give my service to help towards a better environment for the people and the wildlife of Essex.