Kate Speke-Adams Head of Land Use Expand Kate heads up our team of Catchment Advisers, delivering a broad range of projects to reduce diffuse pollution from across the wider catchment. Kate grew up on a dairy farm in north Herefordshire. This, combined with experience gained from working for the Environment Agency, gives her a well balanced view on the risks and opportunities that agriculture can offer the water environment. In 2015 Kate was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship during which she studied soil management and barriers to change in farming. This has bought an even wider knowledge base to the Catchment Adviser team. Kate is currently Chairman of Herefordshire Grassland Society, a Director for Herefordshire Rural Hub and a council member for Three Counties Agricultural Society. She is BASIS Soil & Water Qualified.
Lucinda Lewis Catchment Advisor Expand Lucinda has lived and worked in Herefordshire for most of her life. She studied ecology at Birmingham University then trained and worked for 18 years as an agronomist which provides an invaluable knowledge base for nutrient management and crop nutrition. When not on Foundation duties Lucinda and her family farm in Dilwyn. Lucinda is FACTS and BASIS Soil & Water qualified.
Jonathan Pugh Catchment Advisor Expand Jonny grew up in the small village of Llanfihangel Talyllyn near Brecon and has been with the Foundation for 12 Years. Having originally worked as a habitat team leader, Jonny brings a lot of experience to the farm team in relation to practical work to improve habitat alongside watercourses. When not at work Jonny helps his father with his agricultural contracting business and the family also farm a small flock of sheep. His agricultural background means he is well equipped to work with farmers and is keen to help support changes that are a benefit to both rivers and the farm business. He is BASIS Soil & Water qualified.
Tom Jolley Catchment Advisor Expand Having gained an Honours degree in Marine Science and Masters in Fisheries Biology and Management, Tom worked for many years as a researcher focusing mainly on sub-Saharan and tropical fisheries where he helped to deliver many pragmatic solutions in the field. Following a few years in the renewable energy industry and coming home to settle in Wales, Tom is now one of the Foundation's Catchment Advisors working cross border. One of Tom’s main interests is the use of “off stream” livestock watering options, facilitated by the use of renewable energy technologies. Tom has been fishing since he was ten years old and is BASIS Soil & Water qualified.
Liz Price Catchment Advisor Expand Liz comes from a fisheries background with a Masters of Research in Aquatic Ecology and Conservation from Swansea University. Now a BASIS and FACTS qualified Farm Advisor Liz spends most of her time working with farmers on the welsh side of the border. She is FACTS and BASIS Soil & Water qualified.
Mike Williams Catchment Advisor Expand Mike used to farm on the banks of the Wye in Herefordshire and now advises the farmers of the county on all issues relating to keeping the Herefordshire rivers clean – soil management, stock management, yard works and more. He helps farmers to apply for Countryside Stewardship grants for environmental work. Mike is FACTS and BASIS Soil & Water qualified.
Bridie Whittle Catchment Advisor Expand Bridie grew up on a dairy farm in Herefordshire and was passionate about farming from a young age. She graduated from Seale Hayne with a BSc Ag (hons) and has spent time working on dairy, livestock and arable farms, set up an organic poultry (eggs) business on the family farm and spent the last 12 years working for the Soil Association, inspecting organic farms across Wales and the borders. She now lives with her family close to the river Wye near Hay on Wye and works with farmers in the catchment on the Welsh side of the border.
Abi Croshaw Catchment Advisor Expand Abi has lived in Herefordshire all her life, growing up near Ledbury. Before joining the Wye and Usk Foundation she worked for Catchment Sensitive Farming in the Wye catchment advising farmers on diffuse water pollution and helping with Countryside Stewardship. Prior to this Abi was a Trials Agronomist for 9 years testing and assessing pesticides for registration. In Abi’s spare time she can be found mountain biking and walking her collie in the Herefordshire and Welsh Borders or Kitesurfing on the south coast of Wales. Abi is FACTS and BASIS Crop Protection qualified.
Ben Nott Catchment Advisor Expand Ben grew up on his family farm near the Wyre Forest in Worcestershire. He completed Undergraduate and Masters degrees at Cardiff Metropolitan University and has since settled in South Wales with his wife. Previously, Ben worked in Biosolids distribution and has a particular interest in sustainable agriculture. Ben is a competitive mountain biker, so when not at work, he can usually be found on two wheels!
Rebecca Meredith Catchment Advisor Expand Rebecca has grown up in South Herefordshire on a small sheep farm on the banks of the River Wye. She went on to study BSC(Hons) Agriculture, Conservation and Sustainable Management at Hartpury College before working on larger sheep and cattle farms. Rebecca has previously helped to develop and support agricultural software with Farmplan. In her spare time she can be found preparing pedigree sheep for shows and sales around the country.
Claire Spicer Catchment Advisor Expand Claire grew up on her family’s arable farm in Bedfordshire and has recently moved to Herefordshire with her young family. Claire studied geology at Leicester University and then went on to complete further studies in Environmental Management. She has been working for the Environment Agency for the last 15 years in a number of land and water based roles. Claire has a particular interest in farm infrastructure and waste management. In her spare time she can be found walking with her family and two border collies.