Our dedicated Trustees
MARTIN BALLARD
CHAIR DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE
Martin became a Trustee for Welland Rivers Trust in 2021 after volunteering on a wetland planting project for the Trust. Martin enjoys spending time with family and friends taking in the Welland and its tributaries, whether walking, cycling or kayaking.
He has worked nationally across the natural and built environments, for the National Rivers Authority, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, Wilmott Dixon and is currently Group Head of Environment for Wates (a Development, Construction and Property/Facilities management company). In addition to being a Trustee for the East Mercia Rivers Trust, Martin is a Trustee Director for CLAIRE (sustainable land remediation) and past Chair of Audit for the Inspire Education Group of higher and further education colleges. Martin is both a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) and Manager (CMgr), as well as a Freeman of the City of London with the Company of Water Conservators.
ANDREW MORRISS
DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE
Andrew moved to Lincolnshire more than 30 years ago and has enjoyed the privilege of living in a county where farming, rivers and hills provide a welcome contrast to his career managing international manufacturing companies. He is still active in education and local government.
Andrew brings experience of project management, engineering, finance and governance to East Mercia Rivers Trust through his role as a Trustee. He welcomes the opportunity to contribute to maintaining and enhancing the rivers and waterways of Lincolnshire which are so important to the natural world and the wider community.
JOHN LEVENTHALL
DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE
John gained degrees from Oxford University in biochemistry and microbiology, worked as a pharmaceutical and consumer products production manager and later, for large retailers, managed teams in the analytical discipline of space management. He transferred that expertise into independent retail consulting practice and general consulting for SMEs, Arts companies and Not for Profit organisations.
Formerly a theatre lighting practitioner, John is a board member of the lighting professionals’ Association for Lighting Production and Design. He is a parish councillor and whilst volunteering with the Rivers Trust, acquired an enthusiasm for river management and conservation. John brings to the board strategic planning, project management, company secretarial, administrative and managerial expertise.
MATT BILLS
DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE
Matt became a Trustee for Welland Rivers Trust in 2019. Although his background is in horticulture he has worked in strategic planning for Harborough District Council for a number of years.
Matt is particularly interested in how communities can get involved with projects and his expertise can help ensure that Local Authorities take account of watercourse requirements in their policies and action.
JAMES BIRCH
DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE
James became a Trustee of Welland Rivers Trust in 2020. He is a school master at Uppingham, where he is a Housemaster, teaches History and amongst other activities runs a Countryside Conservation group that encourages pupils to become involved in activities to support the local community and environment.
RACHEL DYSON
DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE
Rachel joined the Board of Trustees in early 2024 to support communications and fundraising activities to increase partnership opportunities, volunteering, and raise the profile of the charity. Rachel has worked in the water industry for more than two decades and has extensive experience of developing and rolling-out communication and engagement strategies. Most recently at Aqua, Rachel initiated the development of the stakeholder and engagement service offering for the newly formed Strategic Advisory Team.
Prior to Aqua, Rachel held the position of Head of Engagement and Communication at Water Resources East (WRE) – a secondment placement from Anglian Water. Rachel oversaw the development and delivery of a three-year stakeholder engagement strategy and programme for water resources planning in the eastern region and oversaw WRE’s membership growth.
As Corporate Responsibility Manager for Anglian Water, Rachel was pivotal in developing the organisation’s Love Every Drop strategy and creating two transformational programmes under Love Every Drop – Drop 20 (water efficiency) and Keep it Clear (blockage/sewer incident reduction programme). It was through this latter programme that Rachel gained extensive national and international credibility in customer and stakeholder behavioural change, leading Anglian Water and the UK water industry in the creation of the Fine to Flush water industry specification and Do Not Flush (front of pack) consumer labelling and awareness.
BENJAMIN SHRIVE
DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE
Benjamin moved to Lincolnshire in 2017 after living in Northamptonshire and London. He was born and raised in North Norfolk where his family still have a house. His introduction to the Rivers Trust came through conservation projects including the resurrection of ghost ponds with the Norfolk Ponds Project, creation of wildflower meadows and reintroduction of ancient hedgerows on the family land, which borders the River Glaven and a beaver enclosure.
Following his studies in Furniture Making he has worked in the IT and Telecoms industries. His career started with the deregulation of the telecoms market, cheaper telephone calls, the evolution of the internet and demand for high bandwidth networks. He campaigned and advised the Government on solutions to improve broadband availability in rural areas. His current focus is Cloud computing from a Semi-Conductor perspective.
PETE HOLLAND
DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE
Pete Holland joins East Mercia Rivers Trust as a Trustee, bringing extensive environmental leadership experience from his career at Anglian Water Services, where he most recently served as a Director. Throughout his tenure, Pete focused on environmental stewardship across the region, developing expertise that aligns perfectly with EMRT’s mission.
As a Chartered Environmentalist, Pete is deeply committed to the power of nature-based solutions and environmental restoration. His passion extends beyond professional interest—it’s personal, as Pete and his family call the East Mercia region home.
Pete believes strongly in connecting people with their natural environment and is dedicated to supporting EMRT’s efforts to improve and protect our waterways for future generations.
