Sarah is community engagement manager for the Cotswold Canals Connected project and is particularly interested in encouraging community involvement in heritage and natural spaces. Her skills include team leadership, managing large budgets, procurement, programme oversight, financial management, working with other organisations, risk governance and stakeholder engagement.

Charlotte is a Research Fellow at the Countryside & Community Research Institute at the University of Gloucestershire, the UK’s largest centre for rural and environmental research. With over 10 years’ experience in social science research, she has a background in zoology and ecology.

She led a Defra-funded test and trial with farmers to co-develop long-term agreements for nature recovery, and is involved in a national citizen science programme.

She has specialist knowledge of plastics in soils, pesticides, desertification, and regenerative farming.

Locally, she set up the Golden Valley land managers’ group, which brought people together to identify key challenges and create a shared vision for a resilient valley.

Fiona’s day job is as a facilitator and coach - she facilitated the meeting at the Sub Rooms when we launched our campaign – and has a background in HR.

Her role with the CBS involves Volunteer Management, communicating with those who have volunteered and organising workdays in The Heavens. She is also part of the Community Engagement Sub group, working on plans to engage people in the local area on creating a long-term mandate and plan for the Heavens over the next year.

Fiona is also involved in the recruitment of the two part-time posts, following the recent funding grant.

Sue was one of the residents who first got together informally to form the Heavens Valley Action Group in 2023 when rumours first circulated that the Heavens Valley was to be put up for sale.

With a background in journalism and public relations, her specific role is in the CBS’s Communications group, working on publicising our campaign in local and regional media and managing the Facebook page, which now has 1,400 followers.

She is one of the town councillors for Trinity ward, in which much of the land is situated, and serves on the council’s environment committee.

The Stroud Town Council representative, Adrian is a town councillor and also a Director of Transition Stroud and The Bike Drop (part of Grace Network).

His professional background is as a Chartered Secretary, and then as a comms and PR professional, working in the not-for-profit and charity sectors.

He has worked for a housing association, credit union, run a small social enterprise, worked for mutuals in the financial services sector, and helped develop and establish what is now the largest, ethical low-cost lender in the country - Fair for You. 

Matthew Sharp is a senior ecologist at Environment Bank. He has a keen interest in how large-scale nature restoration can progress alongside maintaining community access and participation. He is already involved with the HVCBS as a volunteer and is keen to help the CBS explore funding opportunities. He has a BSc degree in Animal Biology and an MSc in Applied Ecology.

Lucas is the District councillor for Stroud Trinity, in which much of the Heavens land is situated, and is also a town councillor.

He has a background in community organisations, including Oakbrook Community Farm and the Open House charity.

He has experience in organic farming, biodiversity and establishing socially responsive viable organisations in the third sector, including Stroud Common Wealth. 

Working in social enterprises has given him skills in governance, business management, fundraising, rural land management, and team work/cooperation in the community.

Nicky Turner is a communications specialist with experience leading communications and engagement programmes for agencies, large businesses, the public sector and membership organisations. Her skills include strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, team leadership and internal communications.

The Brimscombe & Thrupp Parish Council representative, Martin has a professional background in agriculture, forestry and community participation in sustainable land management in different countries.

He has been involved in many community organisations in Stroud, was an elected District Councillor for Thrupp for 19 years and the leader of the Greens on the District Council.

He was a founder member of the action group, helped organise the community meetings and helped fundraise, and was part of the negotiations around the community purchase from the previous owner. Since we purchased the land, he has helped maintain the paths, cleared rubbish, done tree safety surveying, approached funders and much more.

Matt loves the Heavens Valley, for dog walking, running and just being with the kids.

He has worked in the sustainability sector for 15 years, first in renewable energy and sustainable transport, and now running a local nature partnership.

He is passionate about the roles of both private finance and communities in nature recovery, and is excited to see if these can be married together in the Heavens. 

Alan Bently (recreation and access) Rob Green (land management lead), Martin Smith, Treasurer, Jim Lewis (land management), Jacky Martel (community engagement, fundraising), Stuart Roweth (land managment and buildings)