Our people

Kayleigh brings over 20 years of experience in communications and marketing, working across the environment, charity, care and other sectors. Her background includes brand development, strategic storytelling, multi-channel campaigns and internal communications that connect with people and support organisational goals.

Since joining The Mersey Forest, Kayleigh has worked closely with the team on communications, marketing, events and stakeholder engagement. She focuses on creating engaging, thoughtful content that connects people and partners with the organisation’s work, helping to grow awareness, strengthen relationships and inspire action around trees and woodlands for people, nature and climate.

Outside of work, Kayleigh enjoys travelling and exploring new places with her husband and two daughters, spending time with family and friends, and getting creative through crafts.

David has worked for The Mersey Forest since December 2021 as a community forester who focuses upon education and engaging young people in planting, research and the work of The Mersey Forest.

Previously David has worked in many different roles, but always with the common theme of engaging young people and the wider community in activities that will benefit their local environment, their own education and their own wellbeing.

David is passionate about providing people with the opportunity to engage in new and exciting projects where they can reach their full potential and discover new skills while having fun at the same time.

Dawn has over 25 years’ experience delivering transformational change programmes in the private sector, before she joined the Mersey Forest in 2023.

She loves to collaborate with like-minded individuals across the community forest network, contributing to the variety of environmental initiatives underway.

Passionate about spending time in nature, in her spare time she volunteers at local woodlands, to restore and protect the natural environment, and can often be found running, walking or cycling along local trails and canal paths.

Elizabeth supports the running of the Natural Health Service at the Mersey Forest and has a professional background in co-ordinating Health and Wellbeing programmes.

Elizabeth joined the Mersey Forest team in April 2024 and is a huge advocate of all things ‘Health and Wellbeing’ but particularly the health benefits of spending time in nature.

A big believer in practicing what she preaches she regularly enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it’s walking her dog (Ruby), doing a park run at the weekend or going for a hike.

As a Woodland Advisor with The Mersey Forest, George is proud to be part of a team that is bringing more trees back into the landscape of the North West. George’s interest in trees and woodland has shaped his education and career, beginning with work as a tree surgeon and progressing to university studies. George’s favourite tree is the silver birch, as it is a pioneer species that creates shelter and prepares the soil for other trees and wildlife to thrive.

Joanna brings over 7 years of experience in Research and Insight, with a focus on the financial services industry. Joanna’s background has given her the skills to identify opportunities and engage with private sector stakeholders to drive collaborative initiatives.

Since joining Mersey Forest in January 2024, Joanna has been dedicated to building strong partnerships and developing innovative funding strategies. She’s passionate about networking and showcasing the fantastic work Mersey Forest does to improve local communities and the environment.

Outside work, Joanna loves outdoor adventures like climbing mountains, hiking marathons, or exploring the woods with her energetic spaniel.

Lauren has been at the Mersey Forest since 2022 after joining the team after graduating from University.

Growing up, Lauren was constantly in her local woodland and witnessed first-hand the impacts of flooding and environmental challenges in her area, which sparked her interest in addressing these issues.

Lauren has always been drawn to the environmental sector and thoroughly enjoys being part of a team that connects people with nature whilst delivering wider ambitious targets.

MacKenzie has worked for the Mersey Forest since 2022, leveraging her background in environmental science and geographic information systems (GIS). MacKenzie’s passion for nature conservation drives her commitment to restoring and protecting our woodlands.

She finds particular joy in using GIS to analyse and visualise data, aiding in informed decision-making for tree and woodland planting.

With over 15 years experience in programme development and project management, Michelle leads the More with Trees Programme which includes developing projects that maximise the benefits of trees for people and nature. Michelle also coordinates Nature Connected, the Liverpool City Region Local Nature Partnership. A recent Clore Fellow, her passions include place making, astronomy, snowboarding and tennis.

Paul joined the Mersey Forest team 30 years ago and has nearly 40 years of experience working in commercial and community forestry.

Paul says no two days working in the Mersey Forest are the same, and along with being able to see the changes that we are making to places and people, the variety of work and the enthusiasm of colleagues and communities for what we do makes the role a great one to work in.

Prior to joining the Mersey Forest in 2022, Rob served as an Access & Conservation Officer for England at the British Mountaineering Council for 12 years. This experience in countryside management and access negotiation has been invaluable in Rob’s current role, which presents an exciting and diverse range of challenges.

Rob says being part of a team that is contributing a tangible, positive difference to people’s lives through reduced flood risk and a healthier environment is incredibly rewarding.

Sophie has been with The Mersey Forest since November 2020, bringing 10 years of experience in nature conservation and land management, with a particular focus on trees and woodlands. She finds it incredibly rewarding to help connect people with nature in the area where she grew up. Sophie has a keen interest in veteran trees, their cultural history, and their immense habitat value.

Steph has over 15 years experience in Marketing and Communications and loves uncovering interesting stories from the team and the people they support.

Steph joined The Mersey Forest in July 2021 and is passionate about the great outdoors and sharing the benefits nature can provide to people.

She’s as happy getting muddy planting trees as she is behind a keyboard and in her spare time loves seeing the changing colours of the seasons when she is paddle boarding down the River Dee.

Susannah joined The Mersey Forest in 2006, after completing her PhD on climate change and urban green space at the University of Manchester. Much of her work is at the interface between research, policy and practice. She enjoys being in a team where ideas can be explored and then readily fed into action that impacts on people, nature and climate. She loves to adventure with her family, climbing trees and hills, wading in rivers, seeking out awe inspiring places, and enjoying the overlap between nature and culture.

Tom joined the Mersey Forest in 2023. His favourite part of the job is spending time out on site, whether he’s planting new trees or carrying out essential maintenance tasks. Among the many species he encournters, the Coastal Redwood holds a special place as Tom’s favourite tree.