Our Trustees Our Board of Trustees meet six times per year, monitoring the overall performance of the charity and making sure that we continue to pursue our charitable aims. All our Trustees volunteer their time, experience and enthusiasm to support the Chief Executive and the team in achieving our strategic goals. Expand John Lee OBE DL, Chairman John is a land and property owner and manager from Devon. He chairs the DEFRA National Appeals Panel and The Rural Youth Trust, is a Trustee of the Farmers Club, London and the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC), a Patron of Devon and Cornwall Police Cadets and a Joint Parton of Local Heroes – an anti-bullying charity. John is also Liveryman for the Worshipful Company of Farmers, The Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen. He is a Freeman of the City of London and Deputy Lieutenant of Devon. Previously John has held various appointments at local, regional, national and European levels - examples include Chair of Governors of Bicton College, Chair of Devon County Agricultural Association, High Sheriff of Devon, Founder Chairman of SWARD (South West Agriculture and Rural Development Programme) on behalf of the SWRDA, Founder Chairman of Farming and Countryside Education (FACE) a national education charity, Chairman of NFYFC, President of the European Exchange Programme on behalf of EC, and member of the Common Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee as an EU Commissioners appointee. John’s extensive experience has led him to chair many conferences on behalf of the European Union, as well as provide keynotes speeches on their behalf. Malcolm Bell MBE Malcolm was Chief Executive at Visit Cornwall from 2010 to 2023 when he became the Executive Chairman. His previous appointment was as Chief Executive of South West Tourism from 1999 to 2010. Prior to this he was Director of Economic Development for Devon and Cornwall, supporting the development of key projects including the National Marine Aquarium, The Eden Project, National Maritime Museum Cornwall as well as numerous training and business support programmes. From 2004 to 2016 Malcolm was also the UK destination representative on the European Commission Tourism Sustainability Group. Malcolm is currently the Chairman and a non-executive director of South West Lakes Limited, South West Lakes Trust's trading subsidiary. Dinah Nichols CB Dinah is a Governor of Plymouth University and a Trustee of the Land Trust. She was previously a non-executive director of Pennon Plc, a Commissioner of The Crown Estate, Chair of the National Forest Company and Director General (Environment) at DEFRA. She recently stepped down as Chair of the Keep Britain Tidy campaign. Dan James Dan has had over 20 years experience within rural development and protected landscape management, balancing the needs of people and places. He currently heads up the Enterprise and Communications team at Exmoor National Park Authority overseeing the National Parks work on tourism and business support, economic development, income generation, communications, National Park Centres and grant programmes. Prior to his current role, Dan was the Operations Director for the Snowdonia Society, where he led the public fundraising appeal for the new Snowdon summit building. Dan Chaired the Heart of the South West Rural Productivity Board, and has represented the South West’s National Parks on the Heart of the South West’s Policy and Technical Advisory Group, as well as serving as an advisor and/or board member to various funding programmes. He was the lead Tourism Officer for the UK National Parks over several years, during which time the National Parks were awarded the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award from Visit England. He has successfully secured and delivered grant funded projects from a range of sources including European and Central Government, Lottery, charitable trusts and philanthropic support. Jo Traill Thomson Jo is Strategy Director for Greener Farming & Fisheries at Natural England. Jo has long-term experience in developing and delivering change programmes in the environment sector. Following her PhD in environmental economics at the University of Edinburgh, Jo worked overseas in Southern Africa with the Department for International Development as Environmental Economics Adviser to the Botswana and eSwatini Governments and with IUCN. On her return to the UK she has worked for local and national government leading a number of strategic change programmes including the 25 Year Environment Plan Landscape Pioneer, Local Nature Recovery Strategies and most recently as Strategy Director for Greener Farming the Landscape Recovery working across the Defra group, government agencies, Local Authorities, private sector and not for profit organisations. Jo lives in North Cornwall with her family. Ashley Shopland Ashley, now retired, was the General Manager of the UK Platform within Imerys Minerals Ltd. the china clay company based in St Austell. Originally from Launceston, his career started with English China Clays (ECC) where he gained his professional qualification in accountancy. Through various roles, he travelled abroad extensively with the company and had responsibility for a business supplying UK products globally. He also served on the SW Council of the CBI for many years, as well as previously being a Governor of various schools in the St Austell area. Ashley is now the Vice-Chair of Trustee's with the Athena Learning Trust covering nine secondary and primary schools in Cornwall and North Devon, as well as a member of the Executive Committee of the Cornwall Rugby Football Union where he covers a Financial and Commercial Development remit. Ashley’s experience with Imerys covered all facets of General Management, but in particular covered New Business Development and Real Estate Management over his last 10-12 years with the Company. Key developments ranged from: the creation of an eco-community (Eco-Bos) to create a whole new community on former china clay workings / land; the set-up of a recycling business hosting third party 'green / inert' waste streams and the creation of artificial soils to compliment the extensive land restoration program; expansion of the secondary aggregate (china clay by-product) business to include significant exports out of the SW region; introducing the prospect of lithium extraction and processing via third party interest and leading to Imerys agreeing to direct involvement in a jv to progress this through to commercial reality; and a network of renewable energy installations (wind and solar) across Cornwall/Devon, many used to supplement the industry's own consumption. Monica Read Monica was, until recently, Business Services & Sustainability Director of South West Water Limited. She joined South West Water in 1992 and was responsible for Business Development, HR and Employee Development. Prior to South West Water, Monica worked for Touche Ross & Co. She is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and is a graduate in Environmental Science. Monica is a non-executive director of the Trust's trading company, South West Lakes Limited. David Harris David joined Pennon Group as Group Drought and Resilience Director in 2022. He has led the organisation’s drought planning activities as well as the ongoing development of its longer-term resilience. In July 2024, David was appointed Managing Director of the Water Services business unit. With over 25 years of executive experience, David has successfully led performance and growth of large infrastructure businesses, both in the regulated water sector and the competitive energy market in Australia. David brings experience from his time leading one of Australia’s largest water companies through the worst droughts in the country’s history, ensuring the constant supply of drinking water and the building of additional water resources. South West Lakes Limited South West Lakes ltd. (company number 03955075) is the charity's wholly owned trading subsidiary which operates activity centres, campsites, angling and hospitality venues. Profits are gift aided to the charity. Malcolm Bell is a Non-Executive Director and chairs the subsidiary. Malcolm is joined on the board of the subsidiary by Monica Read, Dan James, James Platts (also Chief Executive) and Ashley Shopland.
Our Team We strive to be: forward thinking, ambitious, balanced, open, committed, friendly…and fun! Expand James Platts, FRSA, Chief Executive I believe the environment is key to all we do; we need to value the environment for the societal and economic benefits it gives each and every one of us. Access to a diverse, linked environment helps people from all walks of life grow physically and mentally. My time working for South West Lakes Trust has been really rewarding, whether teaching a blind lady to sail at Roadford Lake, helping the wardens with fishing competitions at Porth Reservoir, managing the installation of new accessible trails at Siblyback Lake, or more recently working to improve habitats across our sites. As Chief Executive, I want to support the work of our teams to care for the environment and ensure as many people as possible can benefit from accessing the outdoors. I live on the Devon - Cornwall border with my wife and two children and enjoy sailing with my family on the river Tamar and on our lakes. I am a firm believer that education unlocks the world and I continue to support this through the education projects our charity delivers. Colin Vallance, Heritage and Governance Director I love the variety of being involved in such a dynamic charity which combines my passion for the countryside with the opportunity to make a difference for people. I have had the privilege of working in many roles within the Trust since 2000, overseeing the governance, marketing, communications and central support services of the organisation, as well as heading up the subsidiary charity, Wheal Martyn Trust. Wheal Martyn celebrates and makes accessible the heritage of one of Cornwall’s most important industries, in such a special and unique place – I am continually inspired by the dedication and passion of our wonderful volunteers who help make this happen. Lesley Whitworth, FCA, Chief Financial Officer I love working here. Every day I come into work and learn something new: how to tackle invasive plants in my garden, how to identify different birds and butterflies that visit our lakes, the fascinating history of the clay industry in Cornwall and that there are some big fish lurking at the bottom of our lakes! I have recently purchased two paddleboards, so I am looking forward to spending some quality family time at the lakes, camping and splashing around! Neil Reeves, Managing Director, South West Lakes Limited You only need to look out over one of our lakes on a sunny day to understand why I do what I do. This, combined with a passion for the natural world and encouraging people of all ages and abilities to enjoy and learn from it fills me with enthusiasm. I love living on Dartmoor with my family and working to deliver conservation, access and recreation across the lakes of the South West with simply “the best” team of staff and volunteers is a real privilege. I am also on the management committee of the national Visitor Safety Group. Nicola Morris, BSc (Hons), ResM, MRSB, Head of Environment My job is as much about enabling people to engage with and enjoy our natural environment as it is conserving habitats and species. Seeing a child explore the woods or a family picnic in a meadow takes me back to my childhood. I loved woodland or seafront walks and now I enjoy daily walks on Bodmin Moor. I am very fortunate to lead a team of skilled, passionate Conservation Officers. Coming to work is a real pleasure. Together we deliver exciting, sometimes challenging, projects making positive impacts on our natural world. Each day is different with plenty of opportunities to use my knowledge in invasion biology, conservation, teaching and project management. The beautiful sites never fail to inspire and I always leave feeling calmer having enjoyed their tranquillity. Nick Herbert-Threlkeld, Head of Countryside As Head of Countryside, I lead our ranger team to provide safe, welcoming places for all to enjoy. I work to improve our land management practices and support the progress of vital conservation projects. I joined the trust in 2019 as Senior Ranger on Exmoor, bringing experience from previous roles and volunteering in the North West with the National Trust, Wildlife Trust and following this over six years As Ranger on Lundy Island (North Devon), leading on practical land management and conservation. During my time with South West Lakes Trust, I’ve expanded my expertise, widening my knowledge of conservation, recreation and the water industry, having had great opportunities to develop my career. I’m grateful to have the privilege of working with such an enthusiastic and passionate team, working within this dynamic and ever developing charity. Becky Moran, Head of Communications and Marketing I’ve been passionate about the environment, wildlife and the outdoors from a young age so what better place to work than the region’s largest environmental and recreational charity! I’m also an award-winning journalist and public relations professional, including a number of years in the water industry, so you could say we’re a match made in heaven. I’ve been at South West Lakes Trust since 2021 and learn something new every day about all the amazing things this charity does. Matt Lennox, Head of Activities I have been part of the incredible charitable efforts of South West Lakes Trust since my teenage years, beginning as a kayaking instructor at Tamar Lake during summers whilst I studied, and moving up through different positions in the organisation. My career has always been driven by my love for the outdoors, with a constant desire to share its many benefits with as many people as possible. My job nowadays as Head of Activities is extremely varied, which is what I really enjoy, but I get the greatest satisfaction from being able to share my knowledge, skills and experience with the amazing South West Lakes Trust activity team who I’m very privileged to lead. Leon Fisher, Head of Fisheries I am delighted to be the new Head of Fisheries for South West Lakes Trust. I've been a passionate angler all my life and always at my happiest when surrounded by or immersed in water. Angling has always been part of my life from the moment I could walk and hold a rod. I have been fortunate enough to turn this into a career. Before working for the Trust, I owned and operated my own fishing tackle shop in Liskeard and before that I was a lecturer in Fisheries Management and Aquaculture at Sparsholt College in Hampshire. Hannah Mason, Activity Centre Manager - Roadford Matt Loughlin, Activity Centre Manager - Stithians Naomi Beckwith, Activity Centre Manager - Wimbleball Jon Morley, Visitor Experience Manager, Bournemouth Briony Wood, Communications and Marketing Manager South West Lakes Trust Ranger team South West Lakes Trust Environment team
Our Patrons Keith Bungay, Cairns Boston, Peter Briens, Roger Preston, David Robertson Expand Keith Bungay Cairns Boston Peter Briens Roger Preston David Robertson