Meet our Trustees and Directors
Our board of Trustees and Directors continuously donate their time and support to enable Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust to operate. Together with our small staff team their main objective is to provide every young person with the opportunity to build their character and resilience through outdoor learning and adventure.
To contact the Chair of Trustees email: chair@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk
The Clerk to Trustees can be contacted by email: clerk@longtownoutdoorlearningtrust.co.uk
Fran has a background in policy research and prior to moving to Longtown, she completed her PhD with the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University, where she also taught at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Before becoming a trustee of the Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust, she was a trustee of Longtown Pre-School where she took an active role in policy development. She aims to bring her research and analytical skills to new areas of policy, underpinning the important governance work of the Trust. Fran is currently a managing partner in a family farming and hospitality business, responsible for corporate governance in addition to over 25 employees.
Fran is a local parent of three children, the oldest of whom has used the Centre for after-school and holiday clubs for the past couple of years. Through her children’s experience, Fran acknowledges to the enormous repository of skills, knowledge and enthusiasm that is held within the centre which inspired her to want to volunteer as a trustee.
Holly has an MA in Modern History and an MSc in Education & Training Management. Her career to-date has been varied and interesting: she has worked in the media, corporate, education and charity sectors; her most recent Third Sector role being that of Project Coordinator for a Herefordshire charity focused on improving wellbeing in rural communities.
Holly currently has a ‘portfolio’ career, working on a part-time/freelance basis for various companies. She enjoys walking her dog in the hills of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire and believes that time spent in nature is vital for personal wellbeing. Through her role as Clerk to the Trustees, she is delighted to be able to support the work of the Centre which enables young people and families to connect with the outdoors in a meaningful way.
To contact the Clerk to Trustees email clerk@longtownoutdoorlearningtrust.co.uk
Mike is a qualified teacher whose most recent school-based post was as Deputy Head Teacher. He is qualified to lead, instruct and coach a broad range of outdoor activities and is an Accredited Member of the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel.
Mike has a life-long passion for adventure activities and remains active as an outdoor instructor, a Mountain Rescue Team member (Longtown MRT) and a fell-runner. He has a strong belief that the outdoors can provide the stimulus for significant growth and development for individuals and teams and feels privileged to be a Director and Trustee of Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust. He is determined that the charity should extend its reach to enable more children, young people, adults and families to experience the outdoors through programmes hosted at the Centre, through outreach and through training opportunities.
Simon is a member of the Association of Accountancy Technicians and has been in the accountancy profession for 39 years, running his own business for 15 years. During this time, Simon has acted for a number of small charities assisting with the preparation of management and annual accounts and providing accountancy advice.
Nick Wilson is a trustee of The Wilson Foundation (https://www.thewilsonfoundation.org.uk).
Amy is currently Deputy Headteacher at a local primary school. Throughout her time at this school she has enjoyed bringing many groups of children to Longtown to enjoy residential trips and activity days. Amy has a passion for using the wonderful Herefordshire countryside to enhance children’s learning and give them experiences that they may not otherwise have. Following a residential trip to Longtown, Amy’s school entered the national ‘My Best School Trip Award.’ They were shortlisted in the top three and attended the awards ceremony in London where they were placed runners up. Amy says, “It was an honour to share some of the magic of our trip and get Longtown on the map!”
Jean is a secondary school teacher based in Hereford, with previous experience working in both the outdoor and charity sectors. She has an MSc in Charity Management and spent 3 years working for a charity that specialised in strategy and leadership development within the Third Sector.
Jean is an outdoor enthusiast and as a young adult, worked at outdoor centres in the UK, France and Spain. She has been a member of the Longtown Mountain Rescue Team and currently helps to run the Duke of Edinburgh programme for her school.
Claire graduated with an equine business degree and completed a post graduate certificate in equine science. In 2014, she became a member of the CIPR and completed their Advanced Certificate. She currently lectures part-time, in addition to undertaking PR and marketing projects for a number of clients across the UK.
Prior to becoming a Trustee, Claire initially volunteered to act as Clerk to the Trustees following her children’s participation in activities at the Outdoor Centre. She has witnessed first-hand their growth in confidence and teamwork skills whilst making new friends and thriving in outdoor challenges.
