Our Trustees

Charles Hood (Chairperson)

Charles runs specialist Basking Shark and Blue Shark tours out of Penzance. Encountering sharks in the wild is a key means of gaining the public’s support for their survival and dispelling the myth that sharks are simply man-eaters. Charles’ close interaction with British sharks has also grabbed media attention, featuring on The One Show and the BBC’s Britain’s Secret Seas. A keen underwater photographer, Charles’ images have been used in many worldwide publications to promote marine conservation, including Shark Trust campaigns.

Sarah Fowler OBE (Founding Trustee)

Sarah has worked in marine ecology, conservation and management for over 25 years. She was Deputy Head of the former Nature Conservancy Council’s Marine Science Branch, the Nature Bureaus Director of Marine and Coastal Services and Co-founder of the European Elasmobranch Association. She was co-chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group and appointed a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation in 2005. She was awarded the OBE for services to marine conservation in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Richard Peirce

Writer, broadcaster and author Richard Peirce has been a wildlife activist for over 30 years and sharks have been his main focus. Founder of the Shark Conservation Society and a long time Shark Trust member, past chairman for 11 years and current trustee his current books ‘The Poacher’s Moon’, ‘Giant Steps’, ‘Nicole’ and ‘Cuddle Me, Kill Me’ all carry powerful awareness and conservation messages.

David Elliott

David is Chief Executive at Trees for Cities, a national and international charity.  He has been in leadership roles in the sector for around 20 years, and has spent much of this period overseas.  He has also been a Trustee and advisor for a range of environmental organisations.  He first became involved with the Shark Trust over 20 years ago as a volunteer, and as a keen diver he has been fortunate to share the water with many species of sharks and rays.

Dan Fairweather

After graduating from Nottingham University with a Zoology degree, Dan spent time working within the biotechnology industry before retraining as a fish biologist. Dan joined the insurance sector in 2000 as a specialist aquaculture claims broker before moving into account handling and placement. In 2012 Dan was recruited by Willis Towers Watson to head up the Aquaculture Division where he handles their global aquaculture account and the development of risk services. Latterly he has been working with colleagues to develop insurance products to protect against environmental damage of marine ecosystems.

Jayne Ensell-Bowen

Jayne spent many years as an HR manager in the communications, banking, and education sectors. Since moving to the West Country she has also become a Registered Homeopath and practices in Devon and Cornwall. As a parent she has a deep concern for the future of our world, our seas, and our wildlife. She hopes to use her skills and knowledge to support the Trust in their shark conservation work.

Dean Martin

Dean has worked in the UK SCUBA diving industry for almost two decades. Currently Hardware Project Manager at Fourth Element, Dean previously worked with Apeks where he was responsible for driving new products from conception to completion. An engaged temperate and tropical water diver, and a keen underwater photographer, Dean has a passion for the marine environment. Especially sharks.

Roger Covey

Senior specialist marine officer for Natural England - Roger has worked in marine conservation nationally and regionally for more than 20 years, ranging from marine survey work throughout the UK during the early 1990s, to conservation roles in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly. He is recognised nationally as one of the leading figures in marine conservation and has chaired numerous meetings and events on marine issues.