Our Team
A multidisciplinary team delivering evidence-led river restoration across North Wales catchments.
Laura Owen Sanderson // Chief Executive
Laura is the Trust’s CEO, leading the organisation’s mission to protect and restore North Wales’ rivers. With more than a decade working across the environmental and non-profit sectors, she has built and led major water quality campaigns, worked with NGOs and businesses, and helped turn environmental issues into action.
She leads the Trust’s strategy, campaigns, partnerships and funding, bringing people, science and practical restoration together to tackle the pressures facing our rivers. From pioneering water quality monitoring to new approaches to river restoration, Laura is focused on building a more ambitious, evidence-led model for protecting Welsh waterways.
Poppy Backshall// River Restoration Manager
Poppy is our Operations Manager, overseeing the day-to-day running of the Trust and managing our team of Project Officers. She coordinates the delivery of our river restoration projects, working across the team to keep projects on track and ensure effective delivery.
Having retrained in conservation after a career in sustainable travel, Poppy brings a fresh perspective, a drive to make things happen, and a deep passion for the Welsh landscape to everything she does at the Trust.
When not at work, Poppy enjoys spending time outdoors, usually climbing, surfing or trail running.
Elis Lloyd Williams // Restoration Officer
Leading the delivery of our Sustainable Fisheries programme. Elis also works closely with farmers and landowners to develop practical solutions that work for both farms and rivers.
With qualifications in Hydromorphology and aquatic invertebrate surveying, alongside a background in Mathematics and Data, Elis brings strong technical and analytical skills to his work. He uses these to assess river condition, scope new restoration projects and help develop evidence-led solutions.
You’ll usually find Elis out on site, scoping projects, working with farmers and communities, or finding new ways to use mapping and technology to support better river restoration.
Josh Berry // Restoration Officer
Josh is a Restoration Officer, working across the Trust’s pilot projects, consultancy work and river restoration programmes. With a background in Ocean Sciences, he brings a fresh perspective to our work across the whole catchment, from rivers and estuaries to saltmarsh and brackish environments.
A keen fisherman and nature enthusiast, Josh has a strong first-hand connection to our rivers and the species and communities that depend on them. He brings a practical, hands-on approach to restoration, with a particular interest in looking at how freshwater and coastal systems connect and work together.
When he’s not working, you’ll usually find Josh fishing, photographing wildlife or exploring our rivers and coasts.
Rich White // project Consultant
Iolo Tossel // fIELD OFFICER
Iolo recently graduated from Bangor University with a BSc in Woodland Management and, with a background in community development too, is keen to put that learning into practice, gaining hands-on experience in river conservation while helping to protect and restore the region he calls home. Alongside project work, he'll also be supporting the Trust at events throughout the summer.
Outside of work, Iolo enjoys spending time outdoors, whether climbing, wild swimming, or cycling.
Rich White brings decades of experience in river restoration to his role as Project Consultant, supporting the effective delivery of high-impact restoration projects.
Rich has worked across Welsh catchments for many years, leading practical conservation efforts and achieving impressive results for the health of our rivers. His expertise and commitment make him an invaluable part of the team.
Stewart Johnson// Ecologist
Stewart is an experienced freelance ecologist with over 25 years of practical field experience.
He is a Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and is SafeContractor accredited, CSCS certified, and qualified for National Grid work.
Stewart provides Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) services, protected species surveys, utility supervision and habitat management planning. He is particularly valued for his strong field skills, contractor liaison experience, and practical, solution-focused approach.
JACK JOHNSON // Restoration Officer
Delivering habitat improvement and monitoring work across our river systems. Jack works across grant-funded projects and consultancy work, supporting restoration delivery and ecological monitoring to working with communities and landowners.
Jack studied Freshwater Ecology at Bangor University and brings a strong understanding of the species, habitats and processes that make healthy rivers work. An enthusiastic diver, he loves exploring rivers, lakes and marine environments and understanding the wildlife that depends on them.
Jack brings curiosity, technical knowledge and a hands-on approach to every project, helping turn ecological knowledge into practical action for our rivers.
Emma Bonham // Marine and freshwater project Coordinator
Emma leads the Menai Strait Partnership Forum, bringing organisations and communities together to protect and restore the rivers, coastline and marine environment around the Strait. Her work focuses on improving biodiversity and water quality, taking a whole-catchment approach to understanding how what happens on land and in our rivers affects the health of the Menai Strait.
With a background in ecology and conservation, Emma holds a PhD in Biology and has worked across NGOs and government agencies. She is passionate about communicating natural history and finding practical, joined-up approaches to protecting our freshwater and marine environments.
Max Williams // Field Officer
Max has a background in Marine Biology and hands-on experience in the marine environment to the Trust. He’s been getting stuck into our work to restore whole catchments, exploring how we can connect river restoration with healthier estuaries, saltmarshes and seagrass meadows.
Max brings an enthusiasm for the outdoors and a fresh perspective on how our rivers, coasts and marine environments fit together.
A keen outdoorsman, Max loves exploring the landscapes and waters of his home in Eryri.