Meet our team of volunteer Trustees who oversee our work, guide our direction and contribute to our strategic future…
Barbara King
Chair - joined 2022
Barbara joined as a trustee in 2022. In her career, she worked in several countries, as a Director of both retail and hospitality companies. Moving to Devon in 2010 was the catalyst that saw a widening of interests in her most recent commercial role as Managing Director for the charitable Dartington Trading Company. She has an interest in the coast and land, that provides such a wealth of wonderful local food. This made Chairing Food Drink Devon, a not for profit organisation, for several years, a pleasure.
Looking after green spaces for public use and enjoyment, coupled with helping to find the means to financially support such activities, is close to her heart.
Gillian Burchell
Co-Deputy Chair - joined 2021
Gillian is a retired General Manager in the Motor Trade, originally from Lancashire, has lived near to Occombe Farm for the past 5 years and is a volunteer gardener.
Gillian loves walking and discovering Devon’s beautiful countryside and coast. She is a member of Marldon Leaf Bowling Club and Marldon Community Choir. She is also an active member of Totnes u3a playing bridge, boules and singing in the choir.
John Lowes
joined 2021
Having lived in many different parts of the UK, John moved to Torbay in 1993 and worked at Torbay Hospital as a Consultant Physician and latterly Medical Director until retiring in 2017. Many years at Torbay were spent developing the service and in particular the educational resources for the hospital staff.
He enjoys the mutually incompatible activities of improving his birdwatching skills, sailing along the South West Coast and local dog walking. He is committed to protecting the local environment and ensuring that as custodians of such special environments the Trust continues to balance the needs of wildlife and the welfare of people.
Sam Roseveare
Co-opted Trustee
Sam joined as a Trustee in 2023. He has a first degree from the University of Durham and an MSc from University College London.
As director of policy, Sam is currently public affairs lead at the University of Warwick. Prior to that he worked in public policy, specialising in higher education and research and innovation. He also has substantial experience in strategic planning and governance.
Sam is passionate about the conservation, and particularly the beautiful natural spaces that the Trust has stewardship of.
Matt Abbott
Co-opted Trustee
Matt joined as a trustee in 2023 and brings a diverse range of experience from work in the commercial sector creating business growth strategies for ecommerce businesses ranging from start-ups to FTSE 100. Matt also brings experience from working in higher education and 10 years as a founder-director of a social enterprise providing sports for people with disabilities and the elderly.
Matt has a keen interest in conservation, farming and countryside stewardship. Having grown up locally, Matt has spent many hours enjoying Torbay’s green spaces and is committed to ensuring future generations continue to benefit from access to our history and countryside.
Tim Herbert
Co-opted Trustee
Tim joined as a trustee in 2024. He moved with his family to Torquay in 1986 and spent his teenage years there before moving to Oxford, London, Sydney (Australia) and then Auckland (New Zealand). He returned to Torquay in 2021. Since 1997, he has been a corporate and commercial lawyer, with substantial experience in deals and disputes.
Tim’s family has a dog, and he loves going with him to various walks around the Devon countryside and coast. He is, therefore, keen to ensure that Torbay’s green spaces are well kept.
Donna Wynne
Secretary to TCCT Board of Trustees - joined 2019
Owner of Donna Wynne Virtual Assistance Donna Wynne LinkedIn which helps people to manage their business better by providing professional administration services. I served as an Executive PA at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals for 15 years and take a keen interest in business/economy through working and volunteering within local business forums and Chambers of Commerce.
In my spare time I enjoy walking to observe nature, camping, AcroYoga and am an enthusiastic vegetable grower.
