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Trustees and staff
CPRE Hampshire is made up of a team of around 115 volunteers and four staff members. We are active across Hampshire with five voluntary district groups and a small office at Sparsholt College, Winchester
Margaret Paren, Chair
After retiring from a career in Whitehall, I became involved in local community activities including the Liss Conservation Volunteers and spending eight years as a school governor. I then represented CPRE Hampshire on the executive of the successful campaign for the creation of a National Park in the South Downs, acting as a deputy chair for eight years.
On the establishment of the National Park I was appointed as a national representative to its Board. I was then elected as its first chair, a position I held until I retired from the board in 2020. I was elected CPRE Hampshire Chair in May 2022.
I have lived in Hampshire for 35 years and my hobbies are dog walking, bird watching and painting. I was awarded an OBE for services to the Environment in 2010.
Boyd McCleary, Trustee and Vice Chair
After studying German at Queen’s University Belfast, I spent 40 years in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, serving in Germany, Korea, Turkey, Canada and the British Virgin Islands.
Since retiring, I’ve worked as a business consultant and part-time judge. I’m a governor of a school in Basingstoke, a volunteer leader for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, an adviser to the Council of the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum and a trustee of the South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership. I live in Bentworth, East Hampshire and my hobbies are tennis and walking. I’m married to Jenny, with three children and four grandchildren.
Carole Oldham, Trustee and Chair Planning and Policy Group
I live in Monkwood and love living in this beautiful and tranquil area of rural Hampshire on the edge of the South Downs National Park. My interests are varied, classic music, opera, history, theatre, walking, travel, food and wine. I also run a 2-acre garden.
For most of my career I worked for Sainsburys as a store manager and then running part of their central retail operations. Latterly I joined Wolseley where, as a Director in their Global IT Team, I was responsible for IT governance, their Programme Management Office and the delivery of a number of large international IT programmes.
Neil Henderson, Trustee, Secretary to the Board and Governance Lead
I joined as a trustee of CPRE Hampshire in 2020 after being inspired by the ADD campaign against Eastleigh Borough Council’s proposed development of 5,500 houses almost on my doorstep. I live in a small hobby farm near Bishops Waltham with my family, Wiltshire Horn sheep, Tamworth pigs, and rescue battery hens. I have been encouraging wildlife to re-establish itself in my fields by planting trees, hedges and not actively discouraging nettles, thistles, brambles and docks from thriving.
When at work, I’m a commercial barrister with a London Chambers specialising in shipping and international trade. Aside from the contractual side, I have been increasingly engaged with the regulatory and environmental side of the shipping industry.
Liz Michel, Trustee and PR and Marketing Lead
I live in Kings Worthy near Winchester, with my two sons and husband, having moved to the area 10 years ago. One of the main reasons for choosing to settle in Hampshire was the beautiful countryside, which I enjoy exploring on days out with my family. In my spare time I am a passionate organic gardener and enjoy running and walking.
I have always had a strong interest in the natural world, completing a Geology degree and spending the early years of my career in engineering geology. Following a career change into marketing, I have spent the last 20 years working in a variety of marketing roles for well-known brands across banking, insurance, telecoms and retail sectors.
John Rosling, Trustee
I’ve lived in an ancient, and increasingly dilapidated, farmhouse in the Hampshire countryside for over 20 years, sharing it with various dogs, chickens, occasional sheep, as well as three, now teenage, children and Emma my long-suffering wife. The whole family actively enjoy the countryside on foot, bicycle and under paddle and sail. Wild swimming in the Hamble is a new lock-down activity enjoyed more by some than others.
I run a small business consultancy based in Winchester with offices also in Australia.
Alastair Clark, Trustee and Chair North East Hampshire District Group
Earl of Malmesbury, President
Hampshire born and bred. I worked in Hampshire and Dorset, farming and managing rural estates, and with involvements in a number of rural organisations including a long stint as governor/chairman of Sparsholt, and a board member of the New Forest Show. I am now reduced to running the home ‘patch’. I have walked extensively in UK and abroad (confirming my view that the UK countryside is quite the most beautiful). I have loved endless pets including a pig in the house. Currently, I keep bees, enjoy fishing and am a keen kitchen gardener.
There have been huge changes in the county since my childhood and I wish to keep Hampshire rural. Therefore, I am delighted to be County President of an organisation that ‘punches above its weight’ and does as much as any to do just that.
Dee Haas, Vice President
Since qualifying as a Landscape Architect in 1980, I’ve spent my career working and volunteering in the environmental sector, from designing public projects in cities to private gardens in Hampshire. I’m a Commissioner on the Hampshire County Council Commission of Inquiry into Hampshire 2050.
I live with my husband, Richard near Basingstoke and enjoy countryside dog walks but also love vibrant cities, theatre, live music and visiting art galleries. Travelling is a passion too (mainly for the local cuisine and the architecture), cooking and eating with friends and family. I also enjoy painting and sculpting.
Christopher Napier OBE, Vice President and Chair of South Downs and Central District Group
I joined CPRE as long ago as the 1970s when I realised how beautiful our countryside is, but also how vulnerable. This was my motive for becoming actively involved with CPRE Hampshire when I retired from my legal career in the City in 1999. Little did I realise that this would lead to two stints as Chair of the Branch, chairmanship of our Planning and Policy Group for many years, leader of South Downs and Central Group, and 20 years as President of the Petersfield Society. Also, to nine years on the Board of national CPRE, latterly as Vice Chairman.
But campaigning to protect the countryside has complimented well my love of walking in the countryside and attempts at success on the golf course, and it has made me many friends. A successful campaign, such as achieved designation of the South Downs National Park, makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Caroline Dibden, Vice President and Chair of the South Hampshire District Group
I am passionate about protecting our glorious Hampshire landscape, making it a place where residents can live safely and productively, whilst enhancing it for future generations.
I started my career as a geologist in the oil industry, having done degrees in Geology and Geophysics. I spent 15 years working firstly for Shell, and latterly as a consultant in Norway, Argentina, Russia and Syria.
I have been active in CPRE Hampshire and local Government for 25 years. A Parish Councillor for many years and on the board of HALC, the Hampshire Association of Local Councils. I served as District Councillor at Winchester and was a Natural England nominee on the South Downs Joint Committee. On the Planning & Housing Committees in both cases. I have represented CPRE on public inquiries including the Southeast Plan as well as Local Plans. I chaired CPREs national task & finish group on the methodology of calculating housing numbers and am an advocate of truly affordable housing for those in need.
I live on a farm in the hills in South Hampshire, just into the South Downs National Park, with my husband, and numerous animals including alpacas.
Nathaniel Wood, Trustee
Until starting work, I had lived in the same small village near Andover all my life, making good use of the beautiful countryside that surrounded me. After graduating from the University of Reading with a degree in Environmental Science, I was employed by Vitacress Salads, a Hampshire-based company, on their graduate scheme. Through this scheme I have moved around a bit more but have spent the last year living and working on a farm in Wiltshire. Outside of work my interests tend to revolve around sport (mainly rugby, football, and cricket) – playing or spectating, it doesn’t really matter!
Alison Talbot, Operations Manager
I joined CPRE Hampshire in January 2023 from Citizens Advice, where I had been Chief Officer in the New Forest area.
My background is in environmental project management. I have worked in many roles, from regional lead at the Countryside Agency for the Vital Villages program to eco-tourism consultant for the Ugandan Forestry Department. I am excited to be back in the environmental sector and bring some great experience about running a charity and securing funding for projects from Citizens Advice.
I grew up in a small village in North Yorkshire and have always loved village life with all its’ quirks and character. The connection between the countryside and the communities who live there is so important in shaping our landscapes We see this so well in the New Forest with the influence of Commoning, so vital to the maintenance of the habitats and ecosystems that make up the New Forest landscape.
I enjoy walking in the countryside with my three dogs and have also been learning about keeping bees. My latest challenge is to set up my first apiary.
Joanne Wyatt, Finance Officer
Jo joined CPRE Hampshire in June 2023 and thoroughly enjoys learning more about what makes our beautiful countryside so very precious and unique.
Her challenge is to help the charity operate on a financially sustainable footing , and manage the day to day finances.
admin@cprehampshire.org.uk
Ellie Banks, Hedgerow Officer
Ellie first volunteered for CPRE Hampshire on our first Hedgerows Hero project . She has since joined the staff team and is now leading the Hampshire Hedge project . Our ambitious initiative to connect the two National Parks in Hampshire with a green corridor of hedgerows.
Ellie.Banks@cprehampshire.org.uk
