Meet the team

Lois Wright

Director

lois.wright@cprebeds.org.uk

Lois oversees the day to day operations and development of CPRE Bedfordshire. With a background in both the arts and charity sectors, Lois has a wealth of management experience and is keen to use this to develop the organisation.

Lois is particularly interested in how the countryside can improve wellbeing and in working with local communities to help protect their local environment and improve access to green spaces.

Shelly Dennison
Digital Engagement Officer

shelly.dennison@cprebeds.org.uk

Shelly manages the CPRE Bedfordshire website, monthly e-newsletter and social media accounts, as well as writing features including our blog and our guides to exploring Bedfordshire.

Shelly has a background in heritage outreach and her interests include connecting people to nature and the countryside, and local history.

Martin Christopher

Chair

Martin’s interests include the impact of development on air and water quality, and the relationship between access to the countryside and green spaces and wellbeing.

With a background in logistics and transport, Martin is also interested in ways of minimising the impact of logistics activity on the environment.

Paul Jenkins
Vice Chair

Paul’s volunteering activities with CPRE Bedfordshire are largely focused on planning matters. With Gerry Sansom, Paul maintains an overview of planning issues in Bedford Borough, contributing comments to Local Plan consultations as well as comments on applications for major developments. Paul has represented CPRE Bedfordshire at inspections and appeal hearings. He also supports Parish Councils and local communities with local issues.

Paul has taken a special interest in the government’s Oxford to Cambridge Arc Growth Strategy. He is a member of a CPRE Working Group consisting of representatives from the county branches affected and the National Charity. Working Group members work together to provide a joined-up approach to lobbying and campaigning on matters of concern associated with the OxCam Arc.

Gabriella Davies
Treasurer

Gabriella is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and has extensive experience of financial management. She joined CPRE Bedfordshire in 2024 as Treasurer so looks after the financial transactions and information for the charity.

She has a keen interest in promoting and supporting nature and the countryside which she spends as much time as possible in, often being towed along by her fox red Labrador.

Colin Haine
Secretary

Colin worked for 40+ yrs in the food industry as a Technical Director and is still a passionate foodie. Before this he grew up hiking & cycling on and around the Greensand Ridge with friends. Unbeknown to them at the time, the physical and mental benefits of getting outdoors, come rain or shine, have now been proven to be of significant therapeutic value to us all.

Colin fervently believes that we are all obliged to maintain the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside as a legacy for future generations to explore and enjoy as he did and still does.

Colin uses his organisational skills to support the board of Trustees in the role of Secretary and is working on the Hedgerow Heroes Project.

John English
Trustee

John’s interests include planning, at both local and national level, the Green Belt and Countryside. Working in Central Bedfordshire, he responds to planning applications and represents CPRE Bedfordshire at inspections and appeal hearings.

John also advises Parish Councils, local action groups and residents of central Bedfordshire in relation to the planning system, the Local Plan and responding to planning applications.

John is responsible for mentoring new Planning Volunteers in Central Bedfordshire.

Fred Motson
Trustee

Fred lives in Central Bedfordshire and has a particular interest in how the countryside can help mitigate the climate emergency.

Fred is a legal academic with the Open University and so is particularly interested in how law and policy can be used to protect landscapes and ecosystems.

Simon Grantham
Trustee

Simon’s interests include the protection of the countryside, how to encourage more people out into the countryside and how to implement new technology to improve the environment. He works with the CPRE Bedfordshire team to support initiatives and campaigns.

Simon has lived in Bedfordshire for the last 15 years and has experience working for international companies in commercial roles.

Simon enjoys the countryside in and around Bedfordshire, cycling and walking the network of roads and paths.

George Karaiskou
Trustee

George has been working in Fundraising for over six years, working for both national and regional charities, and across several income streams. He has joined CPRE Bedfordshire to help grow our income, and secure sustainable funding for years to come.

George has lived in Bedfordshire for most of his life, and is passionate about protecting the environment and its wildlife. George is keen to support CPRE Bedfordshire and its mission, and is excited to use his skills and expertise to help the charity to grow over the coming years.