Meet the Team
Staff
David Diggens
Chief Executive Officer
David has had a life-long interest in the British countryside, its function and conservation. After 10 years in the Army he moved to Norfolk, where he has lived ever since. His business career has involved working with UK-based companies in the bottled water industry. He recently started a Norfolk company with the aim of encouraging more people to take an interest in the natural environment.
Dr Jonah Tosney
Operations Director

Ursula Juta
Education and Catchment Manager

Ed Bramham-Jones
Head of Farming and Water

Georgia Waye-Barker
Evidence and Engagement Coordinator

Alison Smyth
Broadland Farm Advisor

Rebecca Banks
Rivers and Ecology Advisor

Sam Hurst
Cam and Ely Ouse Farm Advisor

Zac Battams
Broadland and North Norfolk Farm Advisor

Jonathan Lewis
Lead Ecologist for Norfolk Rivers Ecology (NRT's consultancy arm)

Ant Gagen
Project Manager

Trustees
The trust is run by a committee of trustees with a broad range of expertise in conservation, land management, charitable trust, legal and business administration, compliance and accountancy and PR.
David de Stacpoole - NRT Chairman
David was born in Ireland into a farming background, where he developed a passion for conservation, wild places and environmental protection. Formerly a soldier, he has been a businessman for the last 18 years or so. He is currently a senior director in a Private Security Company working mainly in London, and has had a family home in Norfolk for over 30 years.
William Barr
William was brought up in the Fens and was a partner in Mills & Reeve LLP solicitors from 1976 until his retirement in 2014. He specialised in Agricultural Law and wrote books on all aspects including farm tenancies and farming agreements. More recently he has written novels and been engaged in fishing and country pursuits.
Dr Geoff Brighty
Geoff grew up in Norfolk where he was fortunate to enjoy the best fisheries and countryside. Having progressed from the early days of fish farming and restocking our rivers in the East of England, he has now been able to lead people at a catchment scale, across all the elements that influence our water environment, in turning back the scale of environmental harm. As well as his passion for Norfolk rivers, Geoff can bring a range of experience and networks, gained from his varied career in the Environment Agency, which will be important for helping to shape a sustainable future for the Norfolk Rivers Trust. Geoff is looking forward to an important journey with the Trustees, and to ultimately secure the Trust’s future for the long term.
Sir William Goodenough
William was brought up in the West Sussex countryside where he developed a lifelong love of the country and country pass times. After qualifying as a graphic designer, he has worked in the design branding business since 1978. In 1986 he was a Founding Partner and Managing Director of Design Bridge Limited, becoming Executive Chairman in 2005 to 2018, with offices in London, Amsterdam, Singapore, Shanghai and New York. William has now semi-retired as Chairman, giving him more time to pursue his interests.
Nigel Savory
Nigel Savory is a chartered accountant and, until he retired in 2014, was a partner in Grant Thornton and its predecessor firm in Norwich, KPMG. He specialised in commercial, agricultural and private client work. He is now chairman of AF, the country’s largest co-operative that purchases inputs and supplies for farmers. He is also chairman of RC Snelling and the Snellings Group, a director of Barratt & Cooke; Colleague Software and; Fakenham Racecourse. He is a trustee of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Music in Country Churches and The Lady Hind Charitable Trust. Nigel was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 2006/7 and is a Deputy Lieutenant. He lives at Thorpland, near Fakenham and is a partner in the family farming business. The River Stiffkey runs through the farm.
Ben Steward
Ben qualified in Land Agency before working within a large national commercial property team. He subsequently worked as a market leader in the regeneration of brownfield land and later as managing partner in a local Commercial Agency. Ben will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team.