About Us | Staff

  • Dr Lucy Rogers – Chief Executive

    As the Chief Executive, Lucy is responsible for leading the VWT team and driving the development and implementation of VWT’s strategic and operational plans to conserve threatened mammals through evidence-led conservation work. Lucy has a background in conservation science and conservation delivery. With a PhD in small mammal ecology from the University of Aberdeen, she worked for a number of years with the Central Science Laboratory (now the National Wildlife Management Centre, APHA) at Woodchester Park managing projects on badger ecology and TB epidemiology. Prior to joining the VWT, she was Director of Delivery Programmes for Avon Wildlife Trust, leading the strategic planning, development and delivery of their conservation and community engagement work. Lucy was appointed as Chief Executive for the Trust in 2018. Office: Ledbury.

  • Dr Samantha Bremner-Harrison – Head of Conservation

    As Head of Conservation, Sam’s role is to lead the development and delivery of VWT’s Conservation and Science work in line with the Trust’s Ten-year Strategy.  Sam joined VWT as Head of Conservation in May 2023. She completed her undergraduate degree in Zoology at the University of Aberdeen and an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare at the University of Edinburgh. Her PhD with The Queen’s University, Belfast, assessed the impact of individual behaviour of captive-bred swift fox reintroduced on to the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, USA. Following six years as a research biologist with the Endangered Species Recovery Program in California, Sam returned to the UK to work as a Senior Lecturer and then Associate Professor at Nottingham Trent University, where she led the Species Recovery Unit and a species-recovery focused Masters programme. She has worked on conservation programmes for a range of species, with a particular focus on meso-carnivores and conservation translocations.

    Sam holds a number of honorary positions, including the IUCN National Species Survival Working Group; Mammal Society Scientific Advisory Committee; member of the Association of the Study of Animal Behaviour; the Editorial Review Board of Frontiers in Veterinary Science: Animal Behaviour & Welfare; member of the IUCN Conservation Translocation Specialist Group and Canid Specialist Group; and is the UK IUCN Focal Person representing the IUCN UK National Committee to the Species Survival Commission. In addition, Sam sits on several regional or species-specific working and advisory groups. Office: Southwell, Nottinghamshire and Ledbury.

  • Dr Kate McAney – Ireland Mammal Programme Manager

    As Ireland Mammal Programme Manager, Kate covers a wide range of duties, from engaging with statutory and other bodies, managing bat reserves, fundraising, producing educational material and conducting practical research. With more than 30 years’ experience working in Ireland in the conservation and research of Irish mammals, she is also an experienced educator and adept at public engagement and partnership building. She has recognised the importance of managing conflict to reduce the impact on all parties (including wildlife), and this experience has helped her bring conservation projects to successful outcomes. Kate sits on the Steering Committee of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat SAP and is also on the committee of Dark Sky Ireland. Office: Headford, County Galway.

  • Vicky Knight — Species Conservation Officer for Ireland

    Vicky joined VWT in April 2024 as Species Conservation Officer for Ireland, focusing on the country’s lesser horseshoe bats, Irish stoats, and pine martens. Since graduating in 2011 with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science, Vicky has undertaken several conservation roles with NGOs, academia and local governments. These roles have spanned the Caribbean, UK, Ireland, and a British Overseas Territory. Vicky’s positions have included work on habitat restoration projects, invasive species control and biosecurity projects, species recovery, protection and research, and public engagement campaigns. Vicky has extensive practical experience and has worked with many communities to overcome biodiversity challenges. Each community is unique, and Vicky enjoys finding effective ways to enthuse the public and keep them informed and involved. Vicky was lucky enough to grow up next to the Clwydian Range in North Wales, which was where her fascination for the environment developed. Being surrounded by diverse habitats and species at a young age instilled a deep connection with the natural world, which she loves to share with others. Vicky is now settled in beautiful west Cork, where she enjoys beach combing and snorkelling in her spare time. Office: County Cork, Ireland.

  • Laura Lawrance-Owen – Volunteering and Community Engagement Officer

    Laura’s role is responsible for the recruitment and engagement of people in VWT activities to support the Trust’s conservation programmes. She is passionate about involving people in the Trust’s work and providing opportunities that meet expectations for all. Working as a volunteer and with volunteers has been a core part of Laura’s experience in the wildlife conservation sector. Prior to joining VWT, Laura was working as an Area Ranger for the National Trust and spent six years in total as part of the ranger profession at NT. Previously she completed her BSc in Zoology at the University of Liverpool; following this she moved around the UK gaining experience in countryside working and wildlife conservation with the RSPB, Chester Zoo, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, rECOrd and local wildlife charities. Office: Ledbury (Hybrid)