The LNP Team

 

 

 

Our Board
The WSLNP Board provides strategic leadership for the partnership, helping to unite organisations across the county to deliver a coordinated approach to the ever increasing challenges that nature is facing. Through a strong collective voice, we engage businesses, farmers, landowners, local authorities and environmental NGOs to drive ambitious, long-term outcomes and accelerate progress at the pace nature demands.

We set the partnership’s strategic direction and guide its delivery, while building strong relationships across sectors and with landowners. Through active involvement in, and leadership of, the LNP Forum, we draw on a wide range of expertise and ensure our work reflects shared priorities and emerging opportunities.

Ian Wilson, WSLNP Chair

National Trust

Ian brings over 25 years of experience in the environmental sector, with a background in archaeology and land management. Much of his career has been with the National Trust, with senior roles including Area Manager for London and Head of Government Affairs; now serving as Assistant Director for the Southwest.  Ian has a strong track record of building partnerships at both local and national levels, alongside serving in various trusteeship and advisory positions. His work spans a wide range of impactful initiatives, from influencing national planning reform campaigns and contributing to the National Highways Strategic Design Panel, to supporting land acquisition through the Trees for Climate programme. Today, he oversees more than 40,000 acres of land across Wiltshire and Dorset, leading efforts to protect some of the country’s most valued landscapes.

Ruth Barden

Wessex Water

Ruth brings a wealth of experience to the water sector, beginning her career as an Anglian Water Waste Scientist on industrial treatment sites, before going on to roles with the Consumer Council for Water and, ultimately Wessex Water.  Now leading the Environmental Solutions Team, Ruth is delivering Wessex Water’s environmental investigation programme, spanning catchment management, conservation and recreation, as well as providing expert in-house consultancy for major capital projects.  A passionate advocate for innovation, Ruth has led the development of pioneering approaches to improve water quality at a catchment scale. Her work includes award-winning real-time bathing water risk notification systems, the advancement of nature-based solutions, and forward-thinking permitting approaches.  Ruth is also a visiting Industrial Fellow at the University of Bath.

Joanna Lewis

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

 Jo has built her career on environmental policy and practical action, striving to balance influencing change at the highest levels with delivering impact on the ground. She began her journey in Westminster before spending over a decade as Policy & Strategy Director at the Soil Association, and as Chair of the Food Ethics Council.  Now CEO of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Jo is a strong believer that partnership is essential to achieving ambitious goals for nature recovery and connecting people with the natural world. She also serves as a Trustee of the Wessex Rivers Trust.  As the e-NGO sector representative, Jo is a passionate advocate for working closely with nature-friendly farmers. She firmly believes that in a productive farming county like Wiltshire, farmers are uniquely placed to lead the way in restoring nature.

Tom Lord

Natural England

Tom has nearly 20 years’ experience with Natural England, with a strong focus on access to nature and sustainable development.  He is currently Principal Manager for Wiltshire at Natural England and serves as a Board Member for the WSLNP, representing Defra bodies and the breadth of Natural England’s work across the county.  Tom is passionate about Wiltshire’s rich and varied landscapes, recognising the county as a place full of wildlife and opportunity for nature recovery. Living close to the River Avon, he has a particular appreciation for the wildlife and cultural heritage it supports.

Simon Smart

Simon Smart

Agricultural Advisor

With a strong background in Zoology, and Conservation and Wildlife Management Simon has grounded his work in the practical relationships between farming and the natural environment. He spent three years with the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group leading the Wiltshire Arable Biodiversity Project, working directly with farmers to integrate wildlife-friendly practices into productive arable systems. Simon was shortlisted for the Caroline Drummond Award in 2023 for his commitment to practical, sustainable agriculture. Building on this, he founded Smart Land Management and Ecology in 2024, supporting farmers to embed environmental delivery into profitable, working farm businesses. He is actively involved in farmer-led, landscape-scale initiatives across Wiltshire, helping coordinate collaborative approaches to land management.   

 

Nic Thomas

Wiltshire Council

Nic Thomas is Wiltshire Council’s Director of Planning, Economy and Climate, having joined the authority in June 2022.  He provides strategic leadership across some of the council’s most significant services. Nic leads a broad portfolio of services that influence how Wiltshire develops and prospers. His responsibilities span development management and planning enforcement, spatial planning, neighbourhood planning, conservation and urban design, ecology, landscaping, archaeology, building control and land charges. He also oversees business support, economic development, housing strategy, and the council’s work on climate change and nature recovery.  With more than 25 years as a Corporate Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, Nic brings extensive professional expertise and a deep understanding of the planning system. 

Eden Speller

Swindon Borough Council

Sacha Clements

Partnership Manager

Sacha has a background in fundraising and partnership management, with a strong track record of building and managing high-value relationships that deliver meaningful impact. With experience spanning the heritage, health, and environmental sectors, Sacha brings a strategic, and creative approach to developing partnerships and engaging people.   Sacha is experienced in working with senior stakeholders, coordinating complex projects and ensuring clear, consistent communications to a range of people.  Sacha has worked across major campaigns, trusts and foundations, and corporate partnerships, supporting initiatives from early co-creation through to long-term stewardship.