Meet our trustees

Simon Murray

Chair of the Board

Simon has a longstanding involvement with us and is chair of CPRE in the Forest of Dean. He has many years of experience working at board level, most recently at the National Trust, where he was chief operating officer and senior director until his retirement in 2019.

He lectures and advises governments and organisations overseas while remaining committed to local issues in his native Gloucestershire. Simon is especially keen to find new ways to encourage young people to enjoy and care for our countryside heritage.

Patricia Broadfoot, CBE

Deputy chair of the Board

Patricia, who is chair of CPRE Gloucestershire, brings a wealth of experience in the educational and voluntary sectors. She is Professor Emerita at the University of Bristol, having previously held senior roles there, and was formerly Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire. Recent board roles include being a Governor of the Royal Agricultural University.

Patricia lives near Wotton-under-Edge in Gloucestershire. She is a keen walker and horse-rider and has a particular interest in sustainability.

Reema Khan

Reema has spent the majority of the past 20 years working in the arts and heritage sector in membership, communications and fundraising. She’s worked at English Heritage, Historic Royal Palaces, Royal Academy of Arts and now works in Higher Education at The Business School (formally Cass), City University as Advancement Director.

Reema is Deputy Chair of Governors at City of London Academy, Islington and a trustee at The Liverpool Biennial. Reema was previously trustee of the arts publishing charity Bookworks and chaired their Fundraising Committee.

Reema lives in London with her young son.

James Lindsay

Hailing from Sheffield, James studied Environmental Conservation and Countryside Management at Nottingham Trent University and has a passion for sustainability, championing social responsibility and the development of a green economy. He’s now Head of Membership Services & Development at the University of Exeter Students’ Guild.

He lives in Devon and enjoys the variety the countryside has on offer, from the tourist-friendly coastline to the rugged hills of Dartmoor.

Will Rivers

Will grew up on a hill farm in the Brecon Beacons and, despite now living in the city, escapes to the countryside at every opportunity. After completing an MSc in Environmental Sustainability, he’s spent the past 12 years working on carbon reduction and sustainable energy including on major programmes for government and the Committee on Climate Change.

Will has also worked extensively with local authorities to develop climate change strategies and action plans. He’s motivated by addressing the disconnect between urban lives and the countryside and making sure that everyone can experience the huge mental and physical benefits of feeling connected to nature.

Martin Tyler

Martin, who lives in the AONB on the North Norfolk coast, chairs our Finance and Corporate Services Committee. His accountancy career included senior positions in major UK charities including the Refugee Council, Christian Aid, Fairtrade Foundation and Amnesty International UK.

He also has substantial experience of being a trustee, including nine years as chair of Pesticides Action Network UK, and is currently a trustee of Practical Action.

Tony Burton CBE

Tony works free range on community, design and environmental projects. He was CPRE’s first Planning Officer and left as Deputy Director in 2001 to become a Director at the National Trust. He is a neighbourhood planning examiner and convenes Neighbourhood Planners London as a volunteer.

Tony is Chair of CPRE London, Power to Change (supporting community business) and TCV Chestnut Fund. He is a former Vice Chair of Friends of the Earth. Tony chaired the National Lottery Community Fund during the pandemic. He advised the National Infrastructure Commission on design and is Vice Chair of HS2’s Independent Design Panel. Tony founded Civic Voice in 2010 and is Secretary of his local civic society, convenes Independent Merton Green Spaces Forum and chairs Wandle Valley Forum.

William Donaldson

Canadian-born and raised William has a restless entrepreneurial spirit and following two successful decades in the corporate property world he now applies his energy to the joys and challenges of stewarding the land he farms and gardens in the Cotswolds.

His lively engagement with our beautiful natural environment and building heritage is channelled into various national charity trusteeships and an emergent practice as a Landscape and Garden Designer.