Our Team

Laura Owen Sanderson | Chief Executive Officer

Laura has spent many years in the non-profit sector, working with other NGOs and charities to clean our waterways. In her previous post, she was responsible for the overall leadership and strategic development of national water quality campaigns, leading the most extensive microplastic citizen science study in the U.K. She has also worked as a sustainability consultant across the events and business industry.

An accomplished educator and trainer, Laura leads the team to provide innovative ways of using data and evidence to help understand river environments and deliver river habitat improvements. In particular, she is leading campaigns and overseeing the Trust's overall strategic vision, education programs, diversifying funding in order to protect freshwater species, and engage new audiences in the conservation of freshwater environments.

Dr Liam Whitmore | Lead River Restoration Officer

Dr. Liam Whitmore, is our Lead River Restoration Officer. With extensive experience in fieldwork spanning both UK waters and international settings, Dr. Whitmore holds a Ph.D. with a specialisation in conservation and ecology. His proficiency in Environmental DNA makes him a leading figure in the development of an Edna monitoring program for the North Wales Rivers Trust.

Currently, he is spearheading an ambitious project aimed at mitigating nutrient loss and reducing phosphorus loads entering the Clwyd catchment through innovative nature-based solutions.

His dedication to this cause is underlined by his commitment to advancing scientific methodologies, particularly in the realm of Edna monitoring, to ensure the sustainable conservation of our water ecosystems.

Oisin Fintan Lowe-Sellers//Community Engagement & Project Officer

Oisin, our dedicated Project Officer, is entrusted with the crucial task of delivering our outreach initiatives. His impactful contributions extend beyond this role, as he actively participated in the successful implementation of the Menai Strait Partnership Forum and the Angling Trust Yellow Box campaign. This collaborative effort resulted in the North Wales Rivers Trust being honored as the Partner of the Year for 2023.

As our Community Engagement Officer, Oisin plays a pivotal role in fostering connections across all river catchments. His work involves uniting the broader community, industries, and individuals to collectively safeguard local rivers. Additionally, Oisin serves as our River Restoration Officer for the North West catchment, overseeing projects in Anglesey, Seiont, Ogwen, and the Llyn Peninsula.

Having grown up in Caernarfon and pursued Geography at Aberystwyth University and the University of Bergen, Oisin's diverse experiences include work in Australia and the Netherlands. This international exposure has enriched his understanding of water systems, with a specific focus on flood management.

Dr Antony Smith // Principle Fisheries Officer

Dr. Antony Smith serves as our Principal Fisheries Advisor, bringing extensive expertise to the realm of freshwater fisheries. His specialisation in the native Eryri Torgoch during his Ph.D. studies is the foundation of his in-depth knowledge. Currently leading the North Wales Rivers Trust Prosiect Torgoch, Dr. Smith is at the forefront of river restoration projects, infusing his expertise into every project.

With a background encompassing senior roles in both the charity sector and private consultancies, Dr. Antony Smith has cultivated valuable experience as a senior fisheries officer. In addition to his advisory role, he is instrumental in developing scientific methodologies and practices to assess the impact of our initiatives on key species, further enhancing the efficacy of our conservation efforts.