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Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust welcomes new Directors to drive forward ambitious strategy for a Wilder Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of two new Directors who will join the charity in September 2026, strengthening its Strategic Leadership Team as it moves forward with ambitious plans to support people powered nature recovery across the county.

Both newly created roles, Em Atkins will join the Trust as Director of Development, while Susan Hicks will take up the role of Chief Operating Officer.

The appointments follow a review of the organisation’s structure and roles undertaken during spring 2026 to ensure the charity is well placed to meet future opportunities and challenges for nature, people and places across Nottinghamshire with the aim to create a wilder Nottinghamshire by inspiring and supporting more people than ever to take action for wildlife.

A photo of a ladies head wearing a white shirt

Em brings a strong background in senior strategic leadership across the sport and the charity sector including CEO roles at Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Groundwork Five Counties and Director of Coaching for UK Coaching. Her experience includes developing partnerships and connecting people and organisations to achieve positive impact.

Lady sat by a river and surrounding woodland

Susan joins the Trust from Paddle UK where she held a number of senior roles, most recently as Director of Operations. During that time, she helped shape the organisation’s strategy, strengthened governance and build a more sustainable, financially resilient organisation.

The new Directors will join Chief Executive Paul Wilkinson, Janice Bradley MBE, Director of Nature Recovery, and Liz Fleuty, Director of Action for Nature, and Susanna Smale, Consultancy Director to form the Trust’s new Strategic Leadership Team.

Their skills and experience will add real strength to our strategic leadership team as we continue to adapt, grow and deliver our ambitions for nature’s recovery across Nottinghamshire.
Paul Wilkinson, Chief Executive
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Both Em and Susan stated they were excited to join the Trust with Em saying, “I look forward to play a part in helping connect people, partners and supporters with the Trust’s vital work for wildlife and wild places.”

Susan Hicks continued: “Having spent so many years involved in the protection of our waterways I’m looking forward to becoming part of an organisation that is leading the way in the protection of our incredible wildlife and wild places across Nottinghamshire.”

For more information about both Em and Susan, as well as the rest of the leadership team and trustees, go to our web page Who we are.

Who we are

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