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 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 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
Member Engagement Officer
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
Laura joined the Membership and Marketing Team early in 2020 and she is primarily responsible for the processing of applications for the Chartered Ecologist and Chartered Environmentalist routes to chartership. Laura contributes to the Registration Authority, liaises with volunteer assessors, organising the assessments and interviews, and supports applicants throughout their chartership journey. She is happy to answer any questions about the chartership process by email or by telephone.
Membership Operations Officer
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.
Digital Marketing and Communications Coordinator
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.
Finance and Office Administration
Head of Finance and Business Support
Volunteer Engagement Officer
Drew develops and assists CIEEM’s brilliant volunteer community, so they continue to make positive impacts in all areas of our Institute. Drew is an Ecology BSc(hons) graduate from UEA and has previously worked for the RSPB supporting its volunteers and community groups in Eastern England. He is a highly passionate birder and naturalist, based in Norfolk.
Finance Officer
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
Systems Coordinator and Professional Development Administrator
Policy and Country Project Officers
Head of Policy
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 sits on the advisory board of Teach the Future, and is a trustee of Wildlife and Countryside Link and of UK Youth for Nature. He has a BSc in Biological Sciences and a MSc in Biodiversity Conservation and Management.
Policy Officer
Project Officer (Ireland)
(Based in Ireland)
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 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)
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)
Professional Practice
Head of Professional Practice
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 Standards Manager
Professional Development Manager
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 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 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 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 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
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
Green Jobs for Nature Outreach Assistant
Natarnya graduated with a BA in Modern and Medieval languages from the University of Cambridge. During her year abroad in France, she managed the web content for a startup in Paris. She also worked at an outdoor activity centre in the French countryside. After graduating, she completed a traineeship with the Wildlife Trust to learn more about the local wildlife and the conservation sector. She worked alongside Education and Engagement staff, leading presentations and activities including teaching children about wildlife in their local rivers and leading guided walks. Natarnya joined CIEEM in April 2023 on a New to Nature placement to assist with the Green Jobs for Nature project including promoting the project at outreach events and developing content for the website and social media pages.
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.