Martin Spray - Chair
Now retired, Martin’s career included 14 years in public organisations, including the Science & Engineering Research Council, followed by 32 years in the nature conservation sector. Martin was Chief Executive Officer of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust for 12 years and ran the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust for 16 years. Martin has extensive Board experience and in 2013 was awarded the CBE, and an honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Roehampton, for services for nature conservation. His interest in butterflies goes back to his childhood.
Steve Almond
A chartered accountant who spent most of his career with a major global professional services firm, which included a variety of UK and global executive positions and culminated in being elected to chair the global board. Became a life member of Butterfly Conservation in 2022 and is also a member of several other environmental charities and a trustee of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Hugh Ellerton - Honorary Treasurer
With a career in financial services as a Chartered Accountant spent time working in France and the Far East. Recently retired as a professional trustee to spend time furthering his interests in butterfly and moth conservation. Has experience in fund management, audit, administration and governance.
Catrin Evans
Growing up in Cardigan Bay, Wales, inspired Catrin’s interest in butterflies, wildlife, and conservation. Catrin has an MPhil from the University of Cambridge and works as Project Officer at Wellcome. Catrin is passionate about Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and has governance experience gained as a member of the Equality Advisory Group, and Chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality network at The Alan Turing Institute, as well as at the London Ambulance Service as a member of the Disability Awareness Forum. Catrin is proud to have been a part of the first cohort of ‘Success on the Board’ (Advance HE & Wellcome), which is a development programme targeted at people from groups currently underrepresented on governing bodies.
Prof. Laurence Harwood
Background in academia, first at Manchester University and then Merton College Oxford, before becoming Chair of Organic Chemistry at Reading University in 1995. A lifelong Lepidopterist with a strong interest in the welfare of butterflies and moths in the UK.
Carrie Hume
Holds a Master’s Degree in Ecology and Environmental Management, and has a number practical land management qualifications that complement nearly 20 years of working in the environmental charity sector. This is supplemented by time in the civil service, and within the health sector. Work experience includes policy and public affairs, campaigning, programme development, with a big emphasis on coalition and partnership building throughout. A 'super moth fan' committed to helping moths thrive. Currently in a Development Director role in the charity sector.
Dr Elaine King
With a scientific background, and talent for communication and advocacy, Elaine is an experienced Chief Executive with over 20 years' experience in the third sector. A passion for people and the natural environment has led to a career striving to make a difference for animal welfare and nature conservation.
Simon Saville - Vice Chair
Joined Butterfly Conservation in 1985 and has been Chair of the Surrey & SW London Branch since 2016. Now retired from a career in public affairs focusing on digital, marketing, branding and communications. A childhood spent in the Dorset countryside sparked a lifelong passion for butterflies, moths and all types of wildlife. Actively involved in developing conservation projects in London.
Shaun Thomas
Inspired in his youth by his grandfather’s interest in the natural world, Shaun spent his professional career working for the statutory nature conservation organisations and for the RSPB, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer responsible for RSPB’s work across the UK. Shaun is passionate about restoring nature at scale in the UK and, having left full-time work, he is keen to learn more about different taxa and organisations and to apply what he has learnt to new situations. Shaun is chair of a charity responsible for a local Community Orchard and is also a member of the Office for Environmental Protection’s College of Experts.
Dr Ruth Waters
Ruth is Director of Evidence in Natural England where she oversees the monitoring and science strategy of the organisation. Ruth is a zoologist by training and is passionate about tackling the biodiversity and climate change crisis. She is a strong advocate for inter-disciplinary application of science in real-world settings for nature recovery. Ruth’s has worked on a wide range of projects and has broad multi-disciplinary experience including working with economists, social scientists, and ecologists to seek better ways of understanding, valuing and managing our natural environment for people and nature. Ruth was the lead scientist in the team supporting Prof Sir Partha Dasgupta on the independent review of The Economics of Biodiversity.
