Meet the Team – Trustees

ANDREW MORRISS

CHAIR 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.

DR JON BOLLAND

DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE

Born in Boston, Jon grew up fishing Lincolnshire rivers and drains with family, friends or in competitions.  His love and enthusiasm for rivers and fish led him to studying freshwater fisheries at The University of Hull, where he now works full time, investigating the conservation and rehabilitation of UK rivers and fish populations.

Jon was a founder of Lincolnshire Rivers Trust and now his work for as a Trustee of the recently merged East Mercia Rivers Trust provides Jon with the opportunity to give something back to the rivers where it all began, so that future generations can enjoy them as he once did.

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.

MARTIN BALLARD

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, kayaking or coaching Stamford rugby with his U15s team.

He has worked for the National Rivers Authority, the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, as well as for Willmott Dixon as Group Environment Manager. In addition to Trustee for the Welland Rivers Trust, Martin is trustee Director for CLAIRE (sustainable land remediation) and Chair of Audit for the Inspire Education Group of higher and further education colleges.

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.

DR LAUREN VICKERS

TECHNICAL ADVISOR

After graduating from the University of Hull in 2007 with a 2:1 (Honours) in BSc Aquatic Zoology, Lauren furthered her knowlege by accepting a PhD in Fisheries Science at Hull International Fisheries Institute with a project funded by the Environment Agency (EA).  Her thesis focused on the feeding ecology of 0+ fishes, particularly roach, bream and perch, working on rivers in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

She then worked as an Environmental Monitoring Officer for the EA in Anglian Northern area, regularly writing reports on the state of fish populations within Lincolnshire rivers and carrying out routine fish and macrophyte surveys.  Lauren now works as a Senior Aquatic Ecologist as AECOM, advising on anything relating to the freshwater environment.