Our Team
We are a committed team made up of staff and Trustees - we care deeply about the communities of the Bay and aim to deliver projects with impact to help the Bay thrive.
Meet the staff
Sarah Mason
Chief Executive
Sarah took up the post of CEO in August 2021, after being CEO of the Wildlife Trust on the Isles of Scilly for 8.5 years & prior to that she was Head of Nature & People at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Originally from Stockport, Sarah has worked in nature conservation and engagement for over 23 years having lived all over the UK and in Spain. Sarah's passion is helping people value our natural environment by spending time outdoors appreciating the wonder of nature. She has been involved in tourism in nature-rich destinations and strives for responsible tourism to be the future of travel in the UK & beyond. Sarah has committed to travel only by public transport in her role, and is encouraging others to do the same. She was drawn to the Bay by its unique sense of place and the opportunities for responsible tourism, active travel & of course the fabulous nature of the Bay.
Michelle Cooper
Team Leader, Engagement & Fundraising
Yorkshire-born Michelle spent 15 years as a curator and manager at a number of museums in Cumbria and north Lancashire before joining the Partnership in 2014. With a background in maritime collections, oral history, exhibitions, schools initiatives, community projects and events, she is passionate about working in collaboration with local communities, organisations and volunteers to create meaningful engagement with heritage, nature and the Morecambe Bay landscape.
Anya Kuliszewski
Nature Officer
Originally from Cumbria, Anya has worked for the RSPB and the National Trust in the Lake District, as well as undertaken partnership projects with Forestry England and Lake District National Park. She has a background in marketing and sales, as well as large event management and community engagement. She is a keen birdwatcher and environmentalist who can’t wait to inspire people to look after the natural world.
Jo Haughton
Marketing and Communications Officer
Jo joined the Partnership early in 2021 after 19 years as a Marketing Manager for the National Trust Holidays team in the Lake District. The role gave her lots of experience in operational business delivery in the tourism sector as well as PR and communications for nature conservation. She also worked as Assistant Tourism Officer at South Lakeland District Council coordinating tourism initiatives to promote South Lakeland. Jo loves getting out on her bike around the Bay, walking, singing and canoeing and has a particular interest in creating opportunities for wellbeing in the outdoors.
Richard Frank
Team Leader, Access and Infrastructure
Richard joined the Partnership in February 2018. He has significant practical expertise in youth and community engagement, volunteering, regeneration and access. With extensive experience in local government, the charity and private sector's, creating innovative partnerships and managing projects, Richard is focussed on finding ways to encouraging more people to visit and enjoy the Bay by foot or bicycle.
Stewart Walsh
Cycling and Walking Officer
Liverpool-born Stewart joined us in April 2022 after working over 15 years on active travel initiatives with organisations such as Cycling UK and Sustrans. Specialising in community engagement projects and cycle training, Stewart was attracted by the natural beauty of the region and the opportunity to encourage others to walk and cycle in the Morecambe Bay area.
Claire Bradshaw
Archaeology and Heritage Officer
Originally from Yorkshire, Claire joined us in 2020 having spent six years as a community archaeologist in Norfolk. She has a passion for sharing the stories of past people and helping others to explore their heritage. She has a background in organising volunteer training and research projects with a particular interest in hunter-gatherer archaeology.
Claire loves all kinds of outdoor adventures and is happiest when covered in mud.
Teresa Kirk
Operations Officer (Maternity Cover)
From Lancashire, Teresa joined us in 2021, with a background in museums, art and design and experience in creatively-led, independent business. Teresa loves wildlife, art, drawing and exploring the Bay's beautiful landscapes by foot or by bike. Teresa is happiest when painting or wildlife-spotting.
Sophie Cringle
Operations Officer - currently on maternity leave
Sophie is passionate about making our heritage accessible for everyone. She joined us in Oct 2012 with an MA in Heritage Management. With a background in heritage marketing, events & project management, she previously worked for the Council for British Archaeology, English Heritage and the Wordsworth Trust. Sophie enjoys spending her free time exploring the lesser known places around Morecambe Bay and the Lakes.
Lauren Munro-Bennett
Beach Care Officer
Originally from Cumbria, Lauren has worked with local, environmental focused charities and organisations, in adventure tourism, with young people in government led programmes and in Reablement at Cumbria County Council. Lauren is passionate about encouraging individuals to get outside and enjoy the benefits it has on their mental health, and even runs her own outdoor sports coaching business. She spends as much time as she can in nature and going on adventures - whether that’s running in the mountains, swimming in lakes and tarns, bike touring, climbing, or going on a walk and a litter pick.
Sarah Marshall
Finance Officer
Sarah Marshall is the latest addition to the team and joins us as Finance Officer.
Joseph Earl
EcoCOBS Engagement Officer
Joseph joins the team on a part time basis whilst studying towards his PhD in Geography at Lancaster University. Joseph has a background in coastal research and public engagement, bringing a passion for tackling environmental challenges and a love for running, cycling and being by the sea!
Meet the Trustees
Dr Tom Burditt
Chair of Trustees
Tom is our Chair and is Chief Executive Officer for Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Tom has worked in land management, built and natural heritage throughout his career. Previously a General Manager for the National Trust in the Lake District, he has lived in Silverdale for just over 10 years with his family, and is a Scout Leader there. He particularly loves music, nature and being active outdoors.
Kerry Powell
Vice Chair of Trustees
Kerry is our Vice Chair. She is Director of Communications and Resources at the Lake District National Park Authority, and is on the Executive Board of Cumbria Tourism. She leads on visitor services for the National Park and has a background in finance and leading organisational change. The most rewarding aspect of her role is providing opportunities for people to enjoy the natural environment. Kerry was born and bred on Walney and loves the landscape of the Bay.
Bill Shannon
Trustee
Bill is our hugely knowledgable fount of all knowledge on Morecambe Bay's past. Bill is Vice-president of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Bill graduated at Lancaster University with a PhD in 2009.
Emma Parsons
Trustee
Emma runs her own Heritage and Culture consultancy business https://www.emmaparsonsconsulting.com/ working with organisations across the UK. She was previously Co-Director of Loud in Libraries and Head of Marketing & PR at Imperial War Museum North. She lives in Warton and is a keen Bay walker.
Georgina Young
Trustee
George is a cultural leader, social historian and museum professional with a long-standing commitment to meaningful engagement between museums and their publics.
Mike Turner
Trustee
Mike is Managing Director at Treetop Trek Ltd based in Windermere. He has 25 years experience in the tourism sector and sits on the board of Cumbria Tourism and represents Business on the Lake District National Park partnership. Mike has a lifelong love and passion for the Morecambe Bay area, is an avid outdoor enthusiast and lives in Sandside.
Amanda Finan
Trustee
Amanda is Finance Business Partner with the National Trust and brings with her a wealth of experience from the corporate and justice sector. Previously, Amanda was Head of Finance and latterly, Head of Corporate Services within the Prison Service.
Mark Holroyd
Trustee
Mark is Head of Recreation and Communications (North England) at Forestry England, having previously worked in tourism development, transport and countryside access roles across England’s National Parks. Mark grew up on the Furness peninsula and is passionate about developing authentic visitor experiences which ensure the benefits of tourism are shared with local communities.