The day-to-day running of CIEEM is undertaken by the Secretariat. Led by the Chief Executive Officer, our job is to ensure that CIEEM runs efficiently and effectively in support of achieving the Institute’s Vision and Mission. Please see below to find out a bit more about our team!
Meet the Secretariat
Executive
Chief Executive Officer
Sally Hayns CEcol FCIEEM
Sally has been an ecologist for more than 30 years, working primarily in the eNGO and public sectors across a range of challenging and enjoyable roles. She joined the (then) Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management as CEO in 2010 and has been instrumental in driving forward change within the Institute and the profession. Under her stewardship, the Institute gained its Royal Charter in 2013 and has seen steady membership growth. Sally has spearheaded the development and introduction of a Competency Framework for the profession, which now forms the basis for membership and chartered ecologist grades and assessment, reinvigorated our approach to the Institute’s policy and influencing work, launched our annual Awards and consistently promoted the ecology and environmental management profession as a key player in action to address the environmental challenges we face. Sally is also a member of the Government’s Green Jobs Delivery Group. Sally is passionate about the need for change within the profession to become more diverse and inclusive and ‘fit for purpose’, to embrace new technologies and innovations, and for practitioners to be proud of the work they do. Outside of work, Sally is a keen walker and dog owner, an optimistic (some would say misguidedly so) Portsmouth FC supporter and an avid England Test cricket fan.
Membership and Marketing
Head of Membership and Marketing
Stuart Parks
Stuart has been working in membership and marketing roles in the non-profit sector for over 20 years now and enjoys finding new ways to improve the member experience. If you see him at a conference do say hi as he loves to chat with members. Outside of work, Stu’s been trying to maintain that work/life balance with rugby, table tennis, singing and pilates …just not all at the same time…
Membership Manager
Rachel Eckton
Rachel joined as the Membership Manager in November 2022. She previously spent 35 years working for Hampshire County Council in various departments including Planning, Special Educational Needs, and Finance, with the last 24 years as Business Manager in a school. When not in work Rachel enjoys spending time with her 2 children and 5 soon to be 6 grandchildren, enjoying time with family and friends, and walking the family dog.
Member Engagement Officer
Saz Hayward
Saz has been working in the Membership and Marketing Team since 2013 having previously worked at a Wildlife Trust and ecological consultancy. She helps process our Associate and Full applications and enjoys working closely with our volunteer assessors. Saz also helps to develop and promote our early career membership grades, sitting on the Student and Careers Working Group and inputting into our Membership Admissions Committee. You might see her talking about Student membership at a careers conference. Saz loves anything to do with the ocean!
Member Development Officer
Helen Winstanley
Helen joined us in 2021 as the Office Administrator and then went on to join the Membership and Marketing Team in October 2023. She was previously a teacher in a Primary school before joining CIEEM. When not at work, Helen volunteers at her local tennis club as the Welfare Officer and enjoys playing in matches… weather permitting!
Membership Operations Officer
Natalie Harvey
Natalie joined the Membership and Marketing Team in March 2020 and supports the processing of membership applications to all grades. She also looks after our members entering into abeyance and deferral agreements and helps the team with data requests. Natalie is a Biodiversity Conservation MSc graduate from Bournemouth University, Toad Patrol manager and bat carer who loves to crochet.
Membership Administrator
Olivia Dutson
Olivia joined CIEEM in October 2023 having previously worked in heritage. Before that, she trained as an actor-musician with the University of Birmingham and Royal Shakespeare Company, and graduated with an MA in Shakespeare. Olivia loves looking after CIEEM’s members and our natural world. Outside work, you may find her on stage, on a Pilates mat, or lost in the fields somewhere on a country walk…
Digital Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Sophie Lowe
Sophie joined CIEEM in 2021 to drive the digital marketing strategy. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Media, Communication and Social Media and over four years of experience in content and social media marketing. Sophie is currently studying a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). When she’s not at work or studying, you can find Sophie with her nose in a good book or exploring the outdoors.
Marketing Assistant
Lucy Brogan
Lucy joined CIEEM in 2023 as our Marketing Assistant. Lucy is completing her level 4 Marketing Executive Apprenticeship, whilst splitting her time between creating content for CIEEM and our Green Jobs For Nature project. When she’s not working, you will find Lucy dog-walking at the beach or riding her horse out in the countryside.
Finance and Office Administration
Head of Finance and Business Support
John Gordon
Finance Officer
Will Filmore
Will joined CIEEM in 2022 following almost 10 years of Finance work within social care and not-for-profits. His role within CIEEM is to keep everything Finance ticking over smoothly! AAT Level 4 qualified and a guilty enjoyer of a good spreadsheet, Will has always aimed to work with businesses that have a purpose “beyond the bottom line”. Outside of work, you’ll find him walking around Lymington with his Fiancé, trying to find a coffee shop they haven’t tried!
Office Administrator
Pip Cragg
Pip joined CIEEM on a permanent basis in October 2023 as our office administrator. Pip has a 2:1 Hons degree in Physiology & Pharmacology from Manchester Metropolitan University and worked for 20 years as a self-employed Event Groom and Agricultural Worker in and around The New Forest before joining CIEEM. Outside of work you’ll find Pip and her 2 children at the yard with their horses and dogs, supporting AFC Bournemouth or out watching cricket.
Systems Coordinator
Jamie Jowett
Jamie joined CIEEM in 2019, with a knack for wrangling data and orchestrating behind-the-scenes magic, Jamie keeps our digital realm in tip-top shape. No green thumb needed here—Jamie is more into the language of codes and systems than the language of plants and critters, however, is very enthusiastic to be able to support such a great team working in such an important sector.
Volunteer Engagement Officer
Alice Parker
Policy and Country Project Officers
Head of Policy
Jason Reeves CEnv MCIEEM
Jason strives with his team to build CIEEM’s influence with governments, civil servants, environmental partners and other sectors for the benefit of people and nature. He also works with the In Practice Editor to produce CIEEM’s quarterly magazine. He is a trustee of Wildlife and Countryside Link and a non-executive director of UK Youth for Nature. He is a STEM Ambassador and has a BSc in Biological Sciences and a MSc in Biodiversity Conservation and Management.
Policy Officer
Douglas Lewns
Policy Officer (Based in Scotland)
Dr Ashley Buchan
Ashley joined CIEEM as a policy officer in 2023 after spending several years researching how beetles respond to changes on a peatland and gaining experience in policy research. When not at work Ashley loves exploring new swimming and snorkeling spots in the sea and rivers but will occasionally warm up by cycling and running, keeping an eye out for wildlife on the Water of Leith.
Project Officer (Ireland)
(Based in Ireland)
Elizabeth O’Reilly
Liz has been working with CIEEM for almost four years now, three days a week, from her home office in Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland. She graduated from Trinity with a degree in Zoology and attended Queens University Belfast to get MSc in Ecological Management and Conservation Biology. She also works in the agriculture sector, working part-time as a dairy farm hand and producing food in her own cottage garden. In her spare time she volunteers for local environmental groups sitting as Chair of Louth Environmental Network and on the board of the Oriel River Catchment and Coast Association (ORCCA).
Project Officer (Wales)
(Based in Wales)
Mandy Marsh
Mandy has lived in Wales since studying archaeology at Bangor University. She worked for the Countryside Council for Wales/Natural Resource Wales for 20 years, mainly as Production Manager for Natur Cymru magazine but also for two years on marine guidance. After a Covid-restricted stint doing membership recruitment for the Woodland Trust, she joined CIEEM in 2021. She is particularly interested in green buildings and green infrastructure.
Project Officer (Scotland)
(Based in Scotland)
Dr Annie Robinson
Annie joined CIEEM after years of working in research on environmental drivers of change, in particular invasive species, although latterly working as a research fellow on citizen science and pollinators. Passionate about science communication and engagement she supports CIEEM members in Scotland in a variety of different ways and raises the profile of CIEEM in Scotland.
In Practice Editor
(Freelance)
Dr Nik Prowse
Professional Practice
Head of Professional Practice
Dr Mark Nason MCIEEM
Mark completed his Ecology degree at Bangor University in the 90s and has worked in environmental research and education since then, starting with a PhD and research posts creating habitats at post-industrial sites. He is a qualified teacher and has written and introduced new environmental courses, including professional training, under-and-post-graduate degrees, and apprenticeships. In his current role, Mark helps to promote the highest standards of practice for the benefit of nature and society, and does his very best to ensure that ecology and environmental management is a rewarding and inclusive sector to work in. Mark lives with his family on the North Cornwall Coast, plays the cornet in his village’s silver band and volunteers as a Parish Councillor.
Professional Development Manager
Craig Willcock-Orme
Craig graduated with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and German and has 15 years’ experience of planning, managing and delivering a wide portfolio of events from community and charity events to coordinating Royal visits, conferences and the Portsmouth segment of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. Having previously worked for an Institute in the healthcare engineering sector, Craig joined the team in February 2021 as the Professional Development Manager. He leads on the organisation of our professional development activities, including our training programme, and managing other professional development activities that are underpinned by our Competency Framework. Outside of work, Craig enjoys reconnecting with nature on country and coastal walks and you will often find him visiting historic buildings and castles across the country. He is a big fan of the Eurovision Song Contest!
Professional Development Coordinator (Training)
Krystie Hamilton
Krystie holds a BSc in Wildlife Conservation and Zoo Biology from the University of Salford. After graduating, she went onto work for The Mammal Society as a Training Co-ordinator, which then led her onto becoming a Professional Development Co-ordinator with CIEEM, where she oversees the training programme with over 150 courses running per year. Krystie has a passion for marine life and has subsequently become a Marine Mammal Surveyor with ORCA and a Solent Seagrass Champion with The Wildlife Trusts. Krystie enjoys long walks and adventures with her two rescue dogs and daughter, as well as yoga and running.
Professional Development Coordinator (Conferences, Webinars, CPD and Accredited Degrees)
Joanna Oliver
Joanna has been working with CIEEM since 2019, starting out in the Professional Standards Team before moving over to the Professional Development Team. Joanna’s current role sees her working on CIEEM’s conferences, webinars, CPD and the Accredited Degree Programme. Outside of work, Joanna is most likely to be found in a forest or by the coast, usually accompanied by her family.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Engagement Officer
Lea Nightingale
Lea has been working in the Environmental sector since 2016 after undertaking a career change. Lea is passionate about Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and is particularly interested in the role of Equity within Sustainable Development. Lea is working to further CIEEM’s Championing Change agenda; helping create a more equal, diverse, and socially inclusive profession by raising awareness of issues and barriers to inclusion. Lea’s pronouns are she/her and she is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Outside of work Lea has just completed a BSc in Environmental Science and is now looking forward to finally enjoying some downtime reading and walking in the countryside with her dog Rolo.
Professional Development Administrator
Johanna Cleaves
Johanna holds a BSc in Geography & Environmental Studies and has a wealth of experience in local government and the charity sector, including a significant period as a planning officer. This background has enabled her to develop excellent communication and project management skills to engage with a varied client base, achieve objectives and hit deadlines. Always customer-focussed, Johanna enjoys problem solving, building strong working relationships, and encouraging and supporting others to challenge themselves and achieve success.
Professional Standards Administrator
Danielle Matthews
Dannii joined CIEEM in 2022 as the Professional Standards Administrator. Previously Dannii worked in inside sales and wanted a complete change in career. In her spare time, she likes to go for long walks in the New Forest.
Professional Development Administrator
Sarah Oliver
Sarah joined CIEEM in August 2023 having previously worked in primary education for 22 years. In her current role, she supports the CIEEM training and development programme. Outside of work, she loves spending time with loved ones and taking long walks with the family and the dog on the beach and nearby woods.
Office Support
Chief Morale and Waste Management Officer
Rosie Hayns
Rosie is primarily in charge of waste management, reducing the amount of packaging sent to landfill in ways we haven’t figured out yet. But she also plays a vital role in keeping the team active and outdoors with her lunch time walks and sprint to the finish line to receive a treat from our CEO.