Meet the team

The Steyning Downland Scheme is run pretty well entirely by local volunteers, for the local community.

The Trustees oversee the overall development of the scheme and are responsible for charity policy, legal compliance, funding and ensuring the scheme maintains a strong Christian ethos.

The Conservation Management Group oversee the land management aspects of the Scheme.

The People Engagement Group focus on how we engage with local people.

The Data Group are responsible for monitoring the wide range of plants and animals found on the Steyning Downland Scheme.

The Young People Group have a particular focus on engaging young people in our work.

And finally, our Project Manager valiantly tries to hold the whole thing together . . .

Richard Goring

Richard is the Chair of the Trustees. His family own the Wiston Estate, which includes the Steyning Downland.

Matthew Thomas

Matthew is our Project Manager. He lives in the office, answering the phone, typing e-mails and pushing pieces of paper around. . .

Andrew Armitage

Trustee. Andrew is a lawyer and has a particular focus on legal compliance, policy development and insurance. He's also a bit of a expert on birds and leads our 'Songs of the Dawn' walks.

Graham Broad

Trustee. Graham has a background in finance and is our Treasurer. He does a great job making sure we don't spend too much!

Rev Peter Butchers

Trustee. Peter is the minister of The Hub Community Church in Upper Beeding and is responsible for maintaining the Christian ethos of the Scheme

Sarah Lavery

Sarah is a Trustee with a background in water engineering and has been hugely helpful with our pond!

Bob Platt

Data. Bob oversees our botany and bird data collection and management.

David Buckett

Conservation Management: David is a grand multi-tasker - He helps to lead the Conservation Volunteers and our Bushcraft Days. He's also a botany surveyor, a Lookerer and lots of other stuff too

Jon Brook

Data Group: Jon is the data cruncher for our Butterfly Surveyors and keeps an overall picture of how our butterflies are doing

Lucy Oakley

Conservation Management Group. Lucy also helps with the SDS Conservation Volunteers

Pete Varkala

Conservation Management: Pete helps to lead our Conservation Volunteers, records butterflies, shoots video, makes music and rides a tractor - sometimes all at the same time

Sarah Quantrill

Conservation Management: Sarah helps to lead our Conservation Volunteers, looks after our Butterfly Surveyors and is leading on our exciting Duke of Burgundy reintroduction project

Justin Russell

People Engagement. Justin is a professional archaeologist and in his 'spare time' leads the SDS Rifle Range Volunteers

Percy Parsons

Youth Engagement: Percy works with with Paul Tiller, maintaining our mountain bike area and represents biking interests

Paul Tiller

Youth Engagement: Paul works with Percy to maintain our mountain biking area and represents biking interests