Our Team
We are a committed team made up of staff and Trustees - we care deeply about the communities of the Bay and aim to deliver projects with impact to help the Bay thrive.
Meet the staff
Sarah Mason
Chief Executive
Originally from Stockport, & with family roots in West Yorkshire, Sarah has worked in nature conservation and engagement for over 25 years. Having lived all over the UK and in Spain in nature-rich tourism destinations she strives for responsible tourism to be the future of travel in the UK & beyond. Sarah has committed to travel only by public transport in her role, and is encouraging others to do the same. Sarah joined the charity in 2021, after being CEO of the Wildlife Trust on the Isles of Scilly for 8.5 years & various roles including Head of Nature & People at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust previously.
Michelle Cooper
Team Leader, Engagement & Fundraising
Yorkshire-born Michelle spent 15 years as a curator and manager at a number of museums in Cumbria and north Lancashire before joining the charity in 2014. With a background in maritime collections, oral history, exhibitions, schools initiatives, community projects and events, she is passionate about working in collaboration with local communities, organisations and volunteers to create meaningful engagement with heritage, nature and the Morecambe Bay landscape.
Richard Frank
Team Leader, Access and Infrastructure
Richard joined the charity in February 2018. He has significant practical expertise in youth and community engagement, volunteering, regeneration and access. With extensive experience in local government, the charity and private sector's, creating innovative partnerships and managing projects, Richard is focussed on finding ways to encouraging more people to visit and enjoy the Bay by foot or bicycle.
Claire Bradshaw
Archaeology and Heritage Officer
Originally from Yorkshire, Claire joined us in 2020 having spent six years as a community archaeologist in Norfolk. She has a passion for sharing the stories of past people and helping others to explore their heritage. She has a background in organising volunteer training and research projects with a particular interest in hunter-gatherer archaeology.
Claire loves all kinds of outdoor adventures and is happiest when covered in mud.
Teresa Kirk
Supporter Engagement Officer
From Lancashire, Teresa joined us in 2021, with a background in museums, art and design and experience in creatively-led, independent business. Teresa loves wildlife, art, drawing and exploring the Bay's beautiful landscapes by foot or by bike. Teresa is happiest when painting or wildlife-spotting.
Sophie Cringle
Operations Officer
Sophie is passionate about making our heritage accessible for everyone. She joined us in Oct 2012 with an MA in Heritage Management. With a background in heritage marketing, events & project management, she previously worked for the Council for British Archaeology, English Heritage and the Wordsworth Trust. Sophie enjoys spending her free time exploring the lesser known places around Morecambe Bay and the Lakes.
Lauren Munro-Bennett
Blue Mentor, Blue Influencer Scheme
Originally from Cumbria, Lauren has worked with local, environmental focused charities and organisations, in adventure tourism, with young people in government led programmes and in Reablement at Cumbria County Council. Lauren is passionate about encouraging individuals to get outside and enjoy the benefits it has on their mental health, and even runs her own outdoor sports coaching business. She spends as much time as she can in nature and going on adventures - whether that’s running in the mountains, swimming in lakes and tarns, bike touring, climbing, or going on a walk and a litter pick.
Sarah Marshall
Finance Officer
Sarah joined the charity in 2022 as a paid member of staff & has been working in finance all her career. Sarah has worked in both business & charity book-keeping, accounts & financial management.
Joseph Earl
Engagement Officer, Our Future Coast
Joseph joins the team on a part time basis whilst studying towards his PhD in Geography at Lancaster University. Joseph has a background in coastal research and public engagement, bringing a passion for tackling environmental challenges and a love for running, cycling and being by the sea!
Meet the Trustees
Kerry McLoughlin
Chair of Trustees
Kerry was Director of Communications and Resources at the Lake District National Park Authority leading on visitor services for the National Park and has a background in finance and leading organisational change. Kerry was born and bred on Walney Island and loves the landscape of the Bay.
Dr Tom Burditt
Trustee
Tom is Chief Executive Officer for Lancashire Wildlife Trust and has worked in land management, built and natural heritage throughout his career. Previously a General Manager for the National Trust in the Lake District, he has lived around the Bay for over 12 years. He particularly loves music, nature and being active outdoors.
Emma Parsons
Trustee
Emma runs her own Heritage and Culture consultancy business working with organisations across the UK. She was previously Co-Director of Loud in Libraries and Head of Marketing & PR at Imperial War Museum North. She lives in Warton and is a keen Bay walker.
Georgina Young
Trustee
George was born in Barrow-in-Furness and grew up alongside the Bay. She is Head of Collections and Exhibitions for Manchester Museum, part of the University of Manchester, bringing together nature and culture. George brings her experience of working in museums and heritage for 25 years, beginning with volunteering at Barrow Dock Museum as a teenager.
Amanda Finan
Trustee
Amanda is Finance Business Partner with the National Trust and brings with her a wealth of experience from the corporate and justice sector. Previously, Amanda was Head of Finance and latterly, Head of Corporate Services within the Prison Service.
Mark Holroyd
Vice- Chair of Trustees
Mark is Head of Recreation and Communications (North England) at Forestry England, having previously worked in tourism development, transport and countryside access roles across England’s National Parks. Mark grew up on the Furness peninsula and is passionate about developing authentic visitor experiences which ensure the benefits of tourism are shared with local communities.
Harrison Stewart
Trustee
Harrison is a student at Lancaster University Law School and an aspiring environmental solicitor. Currently on his second sabbatical year, he serves as the elected Vice President (Union Development) of Lancaster University Students’ Union and is Lancaster’s lead delegate to the National Union of Students. Harrison was born and raised in Morecambe and is particularly interested in connecting the youth of the Bay to the area’s heritage, and the wider ecological emergency.
Alistair Eagles
Trustee
Alistair spent his career in the Irish Sea Ferry industry as CEO for Seatruck Ferries based in Heysham Port. He is an active member of the local Chamber of Commerce where he served as President and a keen outdoor enthusiast including cycling and walking around the Bay.
Helen Kemp
Trustee
Helen is an event producer for the Arts, having worked with Arts Emergency, National Portrait Gallery, Red Bull Academy and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Helen has a keen interest in community, partnerships, strategy and cultural place-making and is working with Deco Publique locally and on the National Festival of Making. She moved to Heysham in 2021 with her young family which has given her a huge appreciation of the magic of the Bay.
Lucy Baird
Trustee
Lucy has recently moved to Grange over Sands after living in Hest Bank all her life. She has always enjoyed exploring the area which led her to study Physical Geography at Aberystwyth University, focusing her dissertation on the saltmarsh at Hest Bank. Lucy currently works full time for National Trust as a Visitor Operations Manager.
Mark Hawker
Trustee
Mark spent many years working as a computer programmer and web developer and in 2007 was one of the founders of SiEntries, a successful online platform for taking entries and memberships. Originally from Devon, Mark has lived in Cumbria for 30 years and loves cycling, running and particularly long-distance walking and is the organiser of the annual Spring in Lakeland challenge walk. He has also previously helped organise the Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon and the original Everest Marathon.
Professor Paul Salveson MBE
Trustee
Paul’s professional career has been in rail and community development, whilst pursuing interests in social and cultural history. Paul completed his PhD on Lancashire Dialect Literature, at the University of Salford and has written extensively on aspects of northern history with his most recent book ‘Lancastrians – mills, mines and minarets’ published in 2024. He is a visiting professor at the universities of Huddersfield and Bolton and is manager of the railway library at Kents Bank Station and a director of the neighbouring Beach Hut Gallery.