Staff
Dr. Ben Darvill - Chief Executive Officer
Ben has a great enthusiasm to see scientific research outputs translated into practical habitat improvements on the ground. That means more flowers and more bees. He also wants many more people to share his enthusiasm for bumblebees and to appreciate the work that they do for us.
Ben leads the BBCT team and oversees the work of the charity.
In his spare time, Ben enjoys wildlife photography and film-making, running, cycling, birdwatching, rock climbing, scuba diving and hill walking.
Anne Marie Gardner - Administration Manager
Anne Marie keeps the office in order, oversees the financial and membership admin and responds to enquiries. She is currently busy streamlining and improving our administrative systems to ensure that as much of our supporters kind donations go directly into our conservation work.
Anne Marie is a keen allotment holder and follows the fortunes of her pollinators closely. Bees means beans, among other things!
Darren Ross - Administrative Assistant
Darren plays an important role in the smooth running of the BBCT membership scheme. He ensures that members records are accurately maintained and that subscription requests and renewals are efficiently administered.
Dr. Robert (Bob) Dawson - Conservation Officer for Scotland
Bob's work centres around the declining 'Great Yellow Bumblebee' in the north and west of Scotland. You can read more about the background of Bob's project work here, or follow his progress on his blog.
Bob is an all-round naturalist and an expert in moths, birds, bees and more besides.
Dr. Nikki Gammans - Project Officer for the SubT reintroduction
The Short-haired bumblebee (Bombus subterraneus) is extinct in the UK but is alive and well in New Zealand. A partnership project between BBCT, Hymettus, Natural England and RSPB hopes to bring them back. Read more about Nikki's work on her blog.
Nikki knows a thing or two about reintroductions, having successfully worked with rare ants in the past.
Lee Deane - Development Officer
Lee is developing and diversifying income streams to support our conservation work. She is identifying funding opportunities and ensuring good stewardship of existing donors.
Lee is enjoying teaching her young daughter all about bees and pollination!
Natasha Rolph - Outreach and Education Officer
Natasha is the first point of contact for many people when they phone or email the trust. She responds to ecological enquiries, keeps our external communications up to date, develops outreach and education materials manages our volunteers and coordinates events and talks.
Natasha grew up on a farm and recognises more than most the huge importance of pollinating insects for our 'five-a-day' fruit and vegetables.
Dr. Pippa Rayner - Conservation Officer for England and Wales
The main focus of Pippa's work is on the Shrill Carder bumblebee (Bombus sylvarum). This species gives us great cause for concern as it now only survives at a handful of sites. Habitat creation will be key to its survival. Learn more about the project on her blog.
Pippa's background is in habitat creation and restoration. Her PhD examined ways in which green hay can be used to add species richness to grasslands. She is absolutely passionate about wild flowers!
