Our Staff

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

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.