Claire Coburn Fundraising and Supporter Relations Manager Expand I am Fundraising and Supporter Relations Manager, responsible for all things fundraising, which enable my incredible colleagues to carry out the important work of protecting and enhancing Lake District and Cumbrian landscapes. I have over 28 years’ experience in fundraising, which began as a regeneration consultant back in my home city of Liverpool. I then managed the fundraising team within the Economic Regeneration Office at Wigan Council before moving into the charity sector, where I have worked for several national charities including Street League and OnSide Youth Zones. Having lived around the country, I am now happily settled in Cumbria where I have been a regular visitor since childhood and proud to be part of a team that is passionate about protecting this unique, important, and breathtaking landscape. Away from work, I can regularly be found hiking, swimming, paddleboarding and cycling. I’m a yoga nut and I’m trying to learn Welsh, but my greatest passions are my cat Albie, and labradors Sandi and Bruce!
Helen Howe Membership & Volunteering Lead – 3 days a week Expand My job includes everything to do with our fabulous volunteers and members. I’m the first point of call for all our membership and volunteering queries and I’m here to make sure all our supporters have a fulfilling time engaging with us. Away from work you will find me walking the fells with my dogs, Ollie & Luna and spending time with my family.
Michael Hill Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Expand Michael is a passionate conservationist with a lifelong love of the Lake District and Cumbrian landscapes. With his strong track record of dynamic leadership in the non-profit sector, he has shown the vision and determination necessary to build an exciting future for the charity. Previous roles held include Deputy Controller of Radio 5live at the BBC. As a Network Manager he successfully launched new services and led strategic reviews of national radio stations. He also has extensive journalistic and production experience, including as a Senior Broadcast Journalist and Duty Editor at BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat programme.Michael has been exploring the Lake District regularly since first falling in love with it as a child, saying: “I first climbed Coniston Old Man at the age of nine. I remember being transfixed by the landscape, and how it combines vast geological scale with timeless human activity. It is a huge honour to be asked to lead Friends of the Lake District, and build on the incredible work the team has done in defence of this amazing place.” Michael devotes his spare time to outdoor pursuits including fellwalking and horticulture. His ambitions for life in the Lakes include establishing a smallholding, developing his interest in ecology and building an electric cargo bike to get around on (with his dog Gem).
Amanda McCleery Policy & Overhead Wires Officer - 3 days a week Expand As Policy & Overhead Wires Officer, I lead on the organisation’s policy work on agriculture, water, common land and town/village greens. I also liaise with Electricity North West, National Parks & AONBs over their allowance (from Ofgem) to underground power lines. Away from work, I love wild swimming, fell walking and cycling. I work part time – 3 days a week, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Megan Mattinson Administration & Finance Officer - 3 days a week Expand My role is interesting and diverse as it allows me to work with all staff within our organisation as well as providing regular contact with members, volunteers and other supporters externally. No two days are the same which I love. I am lucky that I have a hands on role, which enables me to get involved with a lot of our event planning as well as ensuring the smooth running of the day to day central functions. When not at work, I can be found enjoying the beautiful scenery the lakes has to offer with loved ones and my four legged sidekick Hendrick.
Jan Darrall Land Manager and Policy Officer - 4 days a week Expand Specialist areas: My job includes everything to do with land management. I am responsible for the specialist policy areas of agriculture, common land, uplands, natural flood and catchment management. I also deal with applications for our Landscape Grant Scheme. The most exciting bit of my job is managing Friends of the Lake District’s land. My aim is to maximise what our land is achieving for the landscape, nature and people, and I am always thinking of new challenges we can take on and new things to achieve. Outside work I am usually found doing something outside with my twins and Tiggy the dog. That can be fell walking, swimming, or creating a new feature on our land in the north Lakes. Gin and tonic and chocolate cake are a bit of a tradition at weekends.
Stuart Clayton Head of Finance and Operations - 4 days a week Expand I joined Friends to take up the position of Head of Finance and Operations. My role is to manage the central resources needed to deliver our amazing services which include finance, fundraising and communications and administration. I have worked in the voluntary sector for over 25 years predominantly working with people with disabilities and enjoyed every minute. Although I am not a Cumbrian my Dad had a passion for walking and climbing in the Lake District which he passed on to me at a very early age. I intend to enjoy my new life in Kendal by learning from all my colleagues, getting out on the fells and walking as many Wainwrights as I possibly can this year.
Laura Partington Policy Officer Expand I am responsible for the policy areas of protected landscapes, woodlands, forestry, access and recreation. Before working at Friends of the Lake District I prepared various landscape and planning documents, including Landscape Character Assessments, green infrastructure strategies and nature based solutions research. I have also managed a number of community and stakeholder engagement projects, working with local people on environmental regeneration schemes, heritage interpretation and capacity building initiatives. Outside work I enjoy Pilates, live music and love nothing more than exploring the outdoors with my children.
Kay Andrews Landscape Engagement Officer Expand My role is to raise awareness of the social, cultural, natural heritage and economic value of Cumbria’s upland landscapes. It’s a highly rewarding job reconnecting people with the landscape and promoting understanding of its management. Outside of work you’ll usually find me out on the fells with my Border Collie Flint, running, swimming or climbing and of course enjoying lots of coffee and cake.
Kate Willshaw Policy Officer - 4 days a week Expand My specialist areas include energy and nuclear government policy and major infrastructure projects, the impacts of climate change on Cumbria’s landscape, sustainability, natural capital/ecosystem services and biodiversity. I also manage Friends of the Lake District's digital mapping system. Favourite things: playing the ukulele, weekends away in my campervan and outdoor swimming in rivers and lakes in Cumbria and France. In between I look after an allotment and an overenthusiastic border collie called Luba who really appreciates living near so many great dog walks. He and I can often be found up The Helm at lunchtime.
Dawn Groundsell Communications Officer - 2.5 days a week Expand Specialist areas: Publications, public relations, website management, enewsletters and social media. I enjoy cycling, walking up hills, dancing, and being outdoors as much as possible all year round, although I much prefer it in sunshine. I work part time, usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Jack Ellerby Dark Skies Officer - 3 days a week Expand My role is to raise awareness of the value of Dark Skies across Cumbria, and to inspire communities, businesses and organisations to reduce light pollution. The benefits are a win-win; healthier lives, reduced energy use and carbon emissions, saving nocturnal wildlife (eg bats and insects) and to allow local people and visitors to enjoy seeing the stars at night. (declining opportunities at the present time!) Previously I worked in planning and managed community projects at Exmoor, the Lake District and North York Moors National Parks; was a Policy Officer for Friends of the Lake District (2002-2014); and since then have been a self-employed landscape contractor. Interests/hobbies – allotment, birdwatching, cycling, fishing, valuing nature/the environment, shooting and walking with my dog. Working days Monday to Wednesday,
Lorayne Woodend Wall Planning Officer Expand As Planning Officer, my main role is to consider and respond to planning applications, Local Plan consultations and consultations on national planning policy changes, although I‘ll get involved in other areas of work too. I’m very proud of being Cumbrian with strong local ancestry. Outside work, I enjoy exploring the less-frequented parts of Cumbria and love bagging a trig point or milk churn stand, discovering local history and finding hidden or quirky local facts and features. I can also be found enjoying classic car events, snooker tournaments or Jo Nesbo novels or planning an overseas adventure – Japan is a firm favourite!