Staff

As Head of Conservation, Sam's role is to lead the development and delivery of VWT’s Conservation and Science work in line with the Trust’s Ten-year Strategy.  Sam joined VWT as Head of Conservation in May 2023. She completed her undergraduate degree in Zoology at the University of Aberdeen and an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare at the University of Edinburgh. Her PhD with The Queen’s University, Belfast, assessed the impact of individual behaviour of captive-bred swift fox reintroduced on to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, USA. Following six years as a research biologist with the Endangered Species Recovery Program in California, Sam returned to the UK to work as a Senior Lecturer and then Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University, where she led the Species Recovery Unit and a species-recovery focused Masters programme. She has worked on conservation programmes for a range of species, with a particular focus on meso-carnivores and conservation translocations.

Sam holds a number of honorary positions, including the IUCN National Species Survival Working Group; Mammal Society Scientific Advisory Committee; member of the Association of the Study of Animal Behaviour; the Editorial Review Board of Frontiers in Veterinary Science: Animal Behaviour & Welfare; member of the IUCN Conservation Translocation Specialist Group and Canid Specialist Group; and is the UK IUCN Focal Person representing the IUCN UK National Committee to the Species Survival Commission. In addition, Sam sits on several regional or species-specific working and advisory groups. Office: Southwell, Nottinghamshire and Ledbury.

As Ireland Mammal Programme Manager, Kate covers a wide range of duties, from engaging with statutory and other bodies, managing bat reserves, fundraising, producing educational material and conducting practical research. With over 30 years’ experience working in Ireland in the conservation and research of Irish mammals, she is also an experienced educator and adept at public engagement and partnership building. She has recognised the importance of managing conflict to reduce the impact on all parties (including wildlife), and this experience has helped her bring conservation projects to successful outcomes. Kate sits on the Steering Committee of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat SAP and is also on the committee of Dark Sky Ireland.

Office: Headford, County Galway.

Vicky joined VWT in April 2024 as Species Conservation Officer for Ireland, focusing on the country's lesser horseshoe bats, Irish stoats, and pine martens. Since graduating in 2011 with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science, Vicky has undertaken several conservation roles with NGOs, academia and local governments. These roles have spanned the Caribbean, UK, Ireland, and a British Overseas Territory. Vicky’s positions have included work on habitat restoration projects, invasive species control and biosecurity projects, species recovery, protection and research, and public engagement campaigns. Vicky has extensive practical experience and has worked with many communities to overcome biodiversity challenges. Each community is unique, and Vicky enjoys finding effective ways to enthuse the public and keep them informed and involved. Vicky was lucky enough to grow up next to the Clwydian Range in North Wales, which was where her fascination for the environment developed. Being surrounded by diverse habitats and species at a young age instilled a deep connection with the natural world, which she loves to share with others. Vicky is now settled in beautiful west Cork, where she enjoys beach combing and snorkelling in her spare time. Office: County Cork, Ireland.

As Principal Scientist for VWT, Jenny oversees the design and implementation of the Trust’s research projects to ensure they are rigorous and of the highest scientific standard. Jenny is a zoologist with a background in research on a range of mammal species, including pine marten, dormice, red squirrel, water vole and mink. She gained an MSc in conservation at University College London and then went on to a PhD at Royal Holloway. She joined the Trust in 2011 as project officer on the Mammals in a Sustainable Environment (MISE) project, working with volunteers and local communities on surveys and conservation of a range of mammal species in west Wales. In 2014, Jenny became the Trust’s Pine Marten Project Manager, managing the Pine Marten Recovery Project for England and Wales and the reinforcement of pine martens in Wales. She became Principal Scientist (formerly Science and Research Programme Manager) in 2018.

Jenny holds a number of honorary positions including Visiting Fellow University of Exeter, Member of DEFRA Reintroductions Task Force , Associate Editor Ecological Solutions and Evidence , Review Editor (Human Wildlife Interaction) Frontiers in Conservation, Open University Human Research Ethics Committee external member,  BIAZA Reintroductions Advisory Group member and member of IUCN Small Carnivore Specialist Group. Office: Maesllyn, Ceredigion.

Max joined the team as Wildcat Project Officer in 2023. Following childhood aspirations to become a “Geordie Steve Irwin”, Max started out volunteering on local conservation projects in the North East before receiving a bachelor’s in biology at Newcastle University. After traveling abroad to study crocodilian endocrinology in his second and third years, he joined a Master’s programme in the US to study the reproductive health of crocodilian populations exposed to anabolic steroids and DDT. Alongside his research, he worked to engage local people with environmental projects at an environmental field station in New Orleans and developed a keen interest in community-led environmental action. Since then, Max has worked to support a variety of Welsh community-led environmental projects and to establish a housing co-operative for new-entrant farmers in Carmarthenshire. Office: Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

As Carnivore Programme Manager, Steve is responsible for VWTs portfolio of carnivore conservation projects and activities in line with the Trust’s Ten-year Strategy.  Steve is a zoologist with a background in research on a number of mammal species, including water voles and badgers, and with a particular interest in the smaller carnivores. He has a PhD, from Royal Holloway University of London, on the impacts of introduced predators and their management for conservation. Prior to joining the Trust, Steve worked for many years as a wildlife biologist with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, managing projects on the development and deployment of TB vaccines for badgers. Steve holds a number of honorary positions including visiting lecturer, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, member of IUCN Small Carnivore Specialist Group,  The Mammal Society’s Scientific Advisory Committee and the Editorial Board of Mammal Communications. Steve joined the Trust in 2016. Office: Amberley, Gloucestershire.

Katherine joined the Trust in June 2023 as Carnivore Conservation Officer. Childhood holidays in Scotland stirred up a passion for the natural world and she later completed her undergraduate degree in Animal Behaviour at Liverpool John Moores University before going on to complete her Master’s degree in Conservation Biology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Before moving into ecological consultancy, Katherine joined Cheshire Wildlife Trust as a trainee officer based in Delamere Forest, alongside other volunteer roles. During her time in consultancy she gained several years of experience in protected species surveying and mitigation and worked on a variety of projects from small developments to national infrastructure schemes. Office: Ledbury.

As Bat Programme Manager, Daniel leads the development and delivery of VWT’s Bat Programme in line with the Trust’s Ten-year Strategy. Daniel rescued his first bat when he was seven years old and has been fascinated by bats ever since. He has been involved with numerous global bat conservation projects, working with a wide range of species and helping to develop conservation initiatives in many countries, including Costa Rica, Thailand and Zambia. He was awarded the Pete Guest Award in 2012 for inspiring others and making an outstanding practical contribution to bat conservation. Daniel has also worked with many bat groups in the UK and developed the National Nathusius Pipistrelle Project to understand the migratory behaviour of this fascinating species. Daniel holds a number of honorary positions including membership of  the UK Bat Steering Group, Eurobats, the Natur am Byth steering group, and the Pembrokeshire Barbastelle Working Group. Daniel joined the Trust in June 2022 Office: Burtle, Somerset.

Cathy joined VWT in December 2023 as Barbastelle Conservation Officer for Pembrokeshire. Cathy’s role has emerged from the collaborative Natur Am Byth! project, which is dedicated to monitoring and supporting some of Wales’ rarest species. Cathy completed her BA in Anthropology in 2021, with environmental anthropology being a key interest of her degree. She has been a keen wildlife conservation and rescue volunteer for many years, volunteering locally and abroad in Africa and Central America with a particular background in the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds. She has also completed the BCT training in hands-on bat care. Office: Narberth, Pembrokeshire.