People

Steve is a world-renowned adventurer, naturalist, writer and television presenter. You may have seen him on BBC TV shows such as Big Blue Live, Deadly 60, and Lost Land of the Volcano. In 2010 he became President of BBOWT because of his passion for local wildlife, and enthusiasm for more children to be intrigued and inspired by nature. 

Watch Steve introduce you to BBOWT.

George Levvy was appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees at BBOWT in 2021. He brings experience of senior management and governance, both as a practitioner and consultant, and was until recently Chair of Rewilding Britain. George started his career as a junior hospital doctor and has held several senior roles including at the British Red Cross and Chief Executive at the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

George is married with two adult children. He is passionate about rewilding and in his spare time enjoys playing tennis, singing, walking and painting.

Estelle joined BBOWT as Chief Executive in January 2014. She has worked for The Wildlife Trusts movement for over 25 years. Working closely with the Board of Trustees and Directors, Estelle is responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of the Trust to deliver a wilder Berks, Bucks & Oxon that both restores nature at a significant scale and reconnects people to nature. Estelle believes that a healthy, wildlife-rich natural world is valuable in its own right and is also the foundation of our wellbeing and prosperity; we depend on it and it depends on us.

Estelle is a keen ornithologist, with a lifelong passion for wildlife. She is a keen gardener, has an allotment and enjoys taking on restoration projects of various description!

To contact Estelle, please email info@bbowt.org.uk.

Karen Hartshorn started in January 2021 as Fundraising, Communications & Marketing Director and was appointed Assistant Chief Executive in 2025. Karen joined BBOWT as she wanted to be part of an organisation with nature at its heart, working to connect everyone with wildlife on their doorsteps. She likes to use her skills in charity leadership, science communications and strategy to make our goal of ‘more nature everywhere, for everyone’ a reality.

Karen loves being outside, particularly walking sections of long-distance pathways – both coastal and inland. She also sings in Reading Phoenix Choir, enjoys food and cooking, anything to do with rowing, and spending time with her teenage son.

Becky Hall started working at BBOWT in September 2019 as People Director. She is passionate about both people and nature so this was the dream job to bring the two together. This is Becky’s first role in the charity sector; her previous 20 years’ experience has been in operations and HR within retail and hospitality. Her proudest moment so far has been transforming the culture within BBOWT to becoming a truly great place to work.

Becky loves being outside in nature, preferably in the sunshine and most of her time outside of work is spent with her two young energetic boys and husband either on the football pitch side lines, exploring nature trails and socialising with friends and family. She is also a keen cook and foodie and loves to grow veggies in her garden.

Steve Proud has been the Director of Land Management & Ecology since June 2021. He brings 20 years’ experience in practical conservation land management and farming to BBOWT’s land holding. Steve has been lucky enough to have some amazing opportunities in his career so far. Starting with being a National Trust Ranger on Exmoor then moving to Surrey Wildlife Trust to manage a rewilding project, reintroducing Red Deer to 2000 acres of MOD owned lowland heathland.

Steve loves seeing large mammals in the wild and enjoys cricket and fly fishing in his spare time. He currently lives in Surrey with his wife and two daughters.

Liz Shearer has worked with BBOWT since June 2015 and has had several different roles. She became Director of Community Engagement in January 2021. Liz is really interested in the impact of nature on people and how it improves so many facets of our wellbeing. She has worked in the public sector and charities for over twenty years, working with a variety of audiences, including those living in rural counties and London’s East End.

Liz grew up in a farming family, so was always outdoors from being very young, which probably sparked her interest in nature. Her favourite wildlife spectacle is a starling murmuration. Liz loves to spend as much time outdoors as possible, either walking or just reading in the garden.

Matthew Stanton was appointed External Affairs & Landscape Recovery Director in 2025. This followed a role as Conservation Strategy Director (maternity cover) having been Head of Planning, Policy & Advocacy since January 2019. After working as a solicitor in London for nearly 10 years, Matthew joined WWF-UK to lead their legal advocacy work, focusing on pressing for new environmental legislation in Westminster. During that time, he was also chair of the Wildlife & Countryside Link Legal Strategy Group. He loves being part of a team that protects our local nature and connects people with wildlife on their own doorstep.

Matthew enjoys long distance running, playing football with his two sons and watching the badgers in his garden.