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Why become a Trustee?

Two new Trustees joined the board this year. Read more about their backgrounds, how they came to join Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as a Trustee and why they would recommend it.

Every major conservation success at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust starts with people willing to step forward and lead. Our Trustees help shape the future of wildlife recovery across Yorkshire, influence decisions that affect land, sea and species, and ensure nature has a stronger voice when it matters most.

Chris Parsons joined Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as a Trustee at the start of 2026. He has worked in the environmental finance field for over 20 years, advising companies across the Green Economy on expanding their businesses and achieving more positive impact. With training as an accountant and a Masters’ degree in Environmental Technology at Imperial College, he transitioned into the rapidly expanding climate change and renewable energy market in the UK in the early 2000s. 

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I have always had a passion for nature, working on volunteering conservation projects in the UK and in Australia and raising money by taking part in sporting events like the London Marathon (back when I was vaguely fit and much lighter). When I was very young, I remember going round our local neighbourhood with my parents to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund, carrying portable panda collecting tins and knocking on people’s doors asking for cash donations. 

As I became older and was lucky enough to have my own family, I increasingly felt that I wanted to give more back and directly support organisations that are at the front line trying to protect biodiversity, wildlife and the natural world in the UK. Given my financial background, becoming a Trustee of a charity dedicated to conservation, protection and regeneration of nature felt like a good fit. Amazingly, the existing trustees at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust decided to accept my application – especially when I am from London and not Yorkshire! I have not looked back since. I hope that I can continue to make a positive and useful contribution.

I am amazed humbled and privileged to know more of the dedicated, passionate and amazing team and to further learn about all the varied and impactful projects and programmes that the Trust is involved in.

How we are run

Read more on how Yorkshire Wildlife Trust fits into The Wildlife Trusts movement, and how we are governed.

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Amy Souter brings 20 years of experience in consultancy to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Board of Trustees. She studied geography and environmental studies at university, followed by a masters in environmental consultancy. In the early years of her career, Amy carried out a wide range of Sustainability Appraisals and Strategic Environmental Assessment of development plans. This then led to Environmental Impact Assessments for major developments, and in time a focus on energy projects. She now leads the Energy & Renewables team at Bidwells.

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"I have a lifelong connection to Yorkshire, its wildlife and landscapes, having grown up on a remote farm on the edge of the North York Moors surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife. Nature and the great outdoors has always been a huge part of my life. Having an interest in and respect for the environment and its wildlife has been graciously taught and instilled in me from a young age. 

I hadn’t considered a trustee role before applying to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust., but trustees have a key leadership role at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, setting the direction of the organisation and helping to ensure the Trust achieves its goals of creating wildlife rich places and wildlife rich lives. 

So what’s in it for me? Having the opportunity to contribute to the vision of a Yorkshire rich in wildlife, particularly in what is a decisive decade for halting habitat and species decline, building resilience to climate change, and creating conditions for wildlife to flourish.

I am looking forward to working with a group of like minded, enthusiastic and experienced people with shared goals, and getting involved in programmes and projects on the ground, which I think is key to building understanding and promoting the charity’s purpose and mission."

Read more on our Trustees and the other members of the board.

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