Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
The Shark Trust
JoinDonate
Menu
  • What We Do
    • Our Work
    • Shark Science
    • Saving Species
      • Angel Sharks
      • Guitarfish
      • Sawfish
      • CITES
      • CMS
    • Citizen Science
      • Great Eggcase Hunt
        • The Project
        • Eggcase Hunting
        • Identifying Your Eggcase
        • British Isles & NW Europe
        • How Can You Help?
        • Record Your Eggcase
      • Basking Shark Project
        • The Project
        • About Basking Sharks
        • Basking Shark Threats
        • Basking Shark Conservation
        • How Can You Help?
      • Angling Project
      • Sightings Database
    • Transforming Fisheries
      • Falkland Islands Project
      • Stop Shark Finning Campaign
      • High-Seas Management
      • Sustainable Fisheries Project (UK)
      • Fisheries Advisories
        • English
        • French
        • German
        • Spanish
        • Dutch
        • Greek
    • Working Collaboratively
  • Get Involved
  • Discover Sharks
  • Shop
  • News
  • Events
  • Blogs
    • Creature Feature
    • The Blowfish
    • Pup's Blog
    • Collective Action
    • Discover Sharks
    • Fundraising Blog
  • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Our Trustees
    • Our Patrons
    • How We Are Funded
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)

Our Staff

We're a small team based in Plymouth, UK. Yet the impact of our work is far reaching and often belies our humble office in Britain's Ocean City. This is due to our collaborative nature. And thanks to our large and ever-growing supporter base, who champion our work wherever they go.

Thank you to all the many individuals, organisations and businesses that support our work. We couldn't do it without you!

Paul Cox

Paul Cox

Managing Director

When I first started SCUBA diving 25 years ago, I could never have imagined that I’d end up being so closely involved in shark and ray conservation. I’m now very proud to be the Managing Director of the Shark Trust, as I have been for the past 4 years. I’m obviously involved in all aspects of the Trust’s work. But in particular I lead on the fundraising and partnership work which keeps us moving forward and growing in influence. I’m a marine biologist by training. But I’ve got a background in conservation communication and education so I’m fascinated by how we communicate as well as what we communicate.

If I had to pick a favourite shark I think I’d go for the Blue. They’re just great looking sharks with a fascinating life history. But then you could say that about most sharks!

Glenys Heafield

Glenys Heafield

Company Secretary/Head of Finance & Administration

As the Head of Finance, I’m responsible for keeping the Trust on the straight and narrow by managing all the charities accounts and associated budgets. If you purchase anything from the Trust you’ll have had correspondence with me at some point. I’m also the Company Secretary and this entails ensuring the Charity is always legally complaint and up to date with legislative paperwork for both the Charities Commission and Companies House.

I joined the Trust in March 2000 when the office had just moved from Newbury to Plymouth, there were only 2 staff back then. It’s been wonderful, over 19 years service, to witness the Trust moving from strength to strength and to play a part in the incredible world of shark conservation.

My favourite shark is the...Tasseled Wobbegong

Ali Hood

Director of Conservation

Working as the Trust’s Director of Conservation constantly inspires and challenges me, and has kept me motivated in my role since I started with the Trust in 2002! I work to secure management and protection for vulnerable species; to develop sustainable fisheries; to hold governments and industry to account for their commitments, and to call them out when they're falling short or praise them for success! And to endeavour to inspire the public, researchers, documentary makers, and the media to step away from the tired rhetoric of sharks as species to fear. Instead to grasp the consequences of biodiversity loss, and the fundamental role played by elasmobranchs in our ocean’s health. I also get to work with a phenomenal team of people, both within the Trust, and in our global network of collaborators. What’s not to love?!

…but don’t ask which shark I like best, there’s too many to choose from!

Cat Gordon

Senior Conservation Officer

I’ve been passionate about nature for as long as I can remember. At the age of 14, I began SCUBA diving and from then on, I also became fascinated with the ocean and everything within – I later trained to become a PADI Divemaster. I studied BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology followed by MSc Conservation Biology, and during this time discovered the Shark Trust. I went on to join the conservation team in 2010. I’m Project Officer for the Great Eggcase Hunt and have enjoyed watching the number of submissions grow over the years and seeing people get excited about finding their first mermaids purse. As well as this, I work on threatened species, such as sawfishes and angel sharks, and get involved with campaign activities.

My favourite shark is….difficult to answer! I’m fascinated by Goblin Sharks as they are just so bizarre. I love hammerheads as I’ve had some great diving experiences with them in the Red Sea. Blue Sharks are really interactive in the water (and a great flagship British species!), and I have a soft spot for underappreciated species - especially the flat ones!

Heather Carstens

Fundraising & Engagement Officer

I was thrilled to join the Shark Trust team in September 2018, I’ve always loved the oceans and I’m particularly interested in sharks. My role is developing and expanding the fundraising side to the charity, raising funds to support the work of the Trust. My role allows me to support and engage with a huge range of fundraisers, from first time runners to cyclists and shark enthusiasts. I’m enjoying working with all walks of life who want to challenge themselves and support shark conservation.

Since completing my degree in Wildlife Conservation in 2008 I’ve worked in mixed roles in environmental education and policy. Now I’m enjoying this new role, expanding my skills and learning more about the fascinating world of sharks, skates and rays!

My favourite shark is the…Blacktip Reef Shark. Mainly because that was my first encounter with a shark when I started diving, I was in awe of how peaceful and calm they were, resting on the seabed.

Dr Conor John

Science Communicator 

I'm a keen birder and conservationist, with a passion for science communication. My background is in psychology and behaviour change, and I have just completed my PhD in the field of environmental psychology. I joined Shark Trust in 2021, as science communicator. I am responsible for implementing our communications strategy, which includes: producing videos, content, editing our members magazine Shark Focus, and developing our general communications for the pubic and policymakers.  

My favourite shark… is hard to choose as I’m still learning a lot! But as a birder with a real interest in migration, the Blue Shark, which is the most migratory shark species, is probably my favourite!

Caroline Robertson-Brown

Marketing Coordinator

I saw my frist wild shark on my first dive after becoming a quialified diver and I was hooked! I went on to become a diving instructor, underwater photographer and journalist. I have a degree in Biology and an MSc in Animal Behaviour. My passion for sharks and rays only gets stronger the more I see and learn about them.

My role at the Shark Trust is to ensure our message and goals reach a wide audience. Engaging existing shark lovers and inspiring people to appreicate and protect the incredible species within the shark, ray, skate and chimera families. 

My favourite shark is the Great Hammerhead Shark. Amazing to encounter underwater. Incredible evolutionary design. 

James Harris

Projects Coordinator

My fascination with marine wildlife started when I completed my first scuba diving course when I was 11 years old. After four days hiking up and down chesil beach I “got my PADI”, and pretty much every spare moment since has revolved around scuba diving. Since 2016 I have worked as a freelance scuba instructor, while also developing my skills as an underwater photographer/videographer.

In 2020 I made the decision that I wanted a career change. I took a step back from my career in digital design and enrolled in an MSc in Marine Conservation at Plymouth University. After graduating I joined the Shark Trust team working on hosting the Sharks International 2022 conference in Valencia, helping build an online presence and foster engagement with the global shark community. Alongside this role I became the product owner of the new Shark Trust mobile app which is currently in development. Now, I work across various projects within the Trust, helping push forward the goals of the organisation however I can.

My favourite shark is the Nurse Shark. They are the first species I ever saw diving and I never get bored of finding them resting under a coral overhang or inside a small cave.

Danny Poulding

Senior Conservation Officer

I’ve been captivated by sharks and rays and all things fishy for as long as I can remember. I’m committed to working to protect vulnerable marine species and supporting sustainable fisheries. I started my maritime career working as a deckhand on an angling charter boat, and then as a commercial fisherman working in and around my beautiful home county of Cornwall. I studied Environmental Science in Plymouth and Marine and Fisheries Science in Aberdeen. I went on to work as a scientific observer on fishing vessels operating in and around the Falkland Islands.  I consider myself to have been very lucky to have worked for 20 years within the fisheries compliance sector in the UK, supporting the fishing industry, conducting maritime patrols, investigating complex marine investigations, and training enforcement officers to conduct fisheries inspections at sea. I am a keen sea angler and sailor.

My favourite shark is Cookiecutter Shark – hey, everyone needs a friend!

Harriet Allen

Citizen Science Data Officer

I have been passionate about the ocean, conservation, and sharks for as long as I can remember, and it has always been a dream of mine to work in shark and ray conservation - so I’m very pleased to now be working with The Shark Trust! I studied my MSc in Marine Environmental Management, which was followed by a few years working in conservation with a focus on spatial analysis. I joined the Shark Trust in 2022 and as the Citizen Science Data officer I manage all the eggcase records and sightings that are submitted to our databases. Once checked, I use that data to pick out trends or other interesting information from the data collected over the last 20 years.

My favourite elasmobranch is the Manta ray, I think they’re so beautiful and I’d love to see/study them one day. Shark wise I think my favourite has to be the Pelagic Thresher, but I will always have a soft spot for Whale sharks as I have studied and worked with them and they are such gentle giants

Mark Packer

Fundraising & Engagement Assistant

I can still remember when I first became obsessed with sharks when I was 8yrs old, it was much like the phases I had of being obsessed with other animals, but it never ended. It was in 2015 I found out about the Shark Trust. I learnt about the dangers sharks are currently facing and knew we all need to help to give them the best chance. I completed eggcase hunts whenever I was at the beach and became a fundraiser, running the Plymouth Half Marathon with Paul (who is now my boss).

I was studying and working as a nurse at that point which I continued to do for 6yrs, always with one eye on the shark world and how I could get involved in any way I could. In 2021, I went back to university to study MSc Marine Conservation, and I was lucky enough to join the Shark Trust team in August 2022.

Since joining, I have been involved in helping fundraisers and am a point of contact for them, and I also get to find new ways of engaging with local communities in shark conservation. Basically living the dream!

My favourite shark is the Shortfin Mako Shark. It was the shark that got me into shark conservation on the No Limit’s campaign. I love their counter shading and the fact that athletes and the US Army have studied their skin because they are so quick in the water!

Published: 31st March, 2022

Updated: 25th October, 2022

Author: Caroline Robertson-Brown

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • UK's Shark Fins Bill pass 3rd reading in the House of Commons

    UK's Shark Fins Bill pass 3rd reading in the House of Commons

    UK's Shark Fins Bill pass its 3rd reading in the House of Commons

  • News Digest - January

    News Digest - January

    Check out our selection of top shark stories for the month. Covering the latest news and discoveries from around the world...

  • Research Project Collaborations

    We collaborate with students on Plymouth University's Master of Science in Marine Conservation. Every year we ioffer a selection of broad research projects to students.

  • Great Eggcase Hunt - Record

    Great Eggcase Hunt - Record

    Want to help shark and ray conservation? Take part in the Shark Trust Great Eggcase Hunt. Find and record eggcases that have washed up on the beach. Fun for all ages!

Most read

  • Male & Female Sharks

    Male & Female Sharks

    How do you tell the difference between a male and female shark? Click here to find out about physical and behavioural differences, as well as shark courtship...

  • Tonic Immobility

    Tonic Immobility

    Tonic immobility is a reflex that causes a temporary state of inactivity in an animal. Similar to hypnosis. It occurs in a variety of different species, including many sharks and rays...

  • Shark Anatomy

    Shark Anatomy

    Sharks have a range of adaptations that make them perfectly suited to their environment. It's no wonder they've gained a reputation for being some of the most impressive and formidable predators on the planet!

  • Shark Reproduction

    Shark Reproduction

    Sharks invest a lot of energy into producing a few, well-developed young. There are 3 main methods of reproduction: oviparity (egg-laying), ovoviviparity and vivparity (live birth).

  • Shark Senses

    Shark Senses

    Many shark species have brains as complex as mammals, which enables them to process a wide range of senses. Sharks have the same 5 senses as we do plus a couple more...

  • Shark Evolution

    Shark Evolution

    Most scientists believe that sharks came into existence around 400 million years ago. That's 200 million years before the dinosaurs! Find out more about the history of sharks...

  • Shark Taxonomy

    Shark Taxonomy

    Taxonomy is a field of science that involves classifying and naming species. It's integral to wildlife conservation, providing the bedrock for our understanding of sharks.

  • Adopt a Great White Shark

    Adopt a Great White Shark

    Adopt a Great White Shark today and you'll be supporting vital Great White Shark research in the USA.

  • Shark Shop

    Shark Shop

    Check out our range of shark inspired gifts. From shark adoptions and gift memberships, to clothing and accessories... There's something for everyone.

  • Chimaera

    Chimaera

    Also known as ghost sharks. Chimaera are closely related to sharks, skates and rays. But they diverged from their shark relatives around 400 million years ago.

Sign Up to our Newsletter

* indicates required
Email Format

We'll only use the information you provide on this form to email you monthly updates and marketing. Please tick the box below to confirm you're happy for us to email you.

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us Or by contacting us. We treat your information with respect. Read our Privacy Policy to find out more. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Find us

Registered Office
The Shark Trust
4 Creykes Court
The Millfields
Plymouth
PL1 3JB, UK

+44 (0)1752 672008

Contact Us

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Jobs
  • Press
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • Linkedin

© 2020 Shark Trust (unless otherwise attributed). Registered Charity No. 1064185. Registered Company No. 3396164

Manage Cookie Preferences