Our Team

Matt Walpole, CEO

Matt grew up on a smallholding in Cornwall before forging a career in nature conservation that has seen him work and travel in over 70 countries. After completing a PhD in nature-based tourism and several years of hands-on conservation research in Africa and Asia, Matt moved to Cambridge where he spent the best part of two decades in the international conservation charity sector. This included overseeing global field operations at Fauna & Flora International, helping governments and the UN to take account of biodiversity whilst at the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, and leading the delivery of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment, the first of its kind to document the value of nature to society. Matt also worked as a strategic advisor for WWF International, before returning to his roots to join Cornwall Wildlife Trust as Chief Executive in September 2022. He has been a trustee of several conservation charities and is currently Deputy Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership, playing an instrumental role in the creation of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Nature Recovery Strategy. Matt loves spending time outdoors and is currently walking the entirety of the Cornish coast path to raise funds for the Trust.

Bev Lawrence, Director of Operations

Bev joined the Trust in 2022 and brings over 25 years of experience spanning both public and private sector organisations. A Business graduate and CIMA-qualified professional, Bev has a strong foundation in finance, but her career has evolved to include a broader strategic remit. As Director of Operations, she oversees all support functions, including finance, HR, compliance, IT, and operations. Her core focus is ensuring the Trust is compliant in all areas and is operating as effectively and efficiently as possible. Bev thrives in purpose-driven environments and is passionate about working for organisations that make a real difference. A proud advocate for Cornwall and its wildlife, she can be found walking the coast path and swimming in the sea in her spare time.

Callum Deveney, Director of Nature Recovery

Callum has over 25 years of experience of managing land and nature reserves having originally joined the Trust as a Reserves Manager. Combining a Masters Degree in Rural Resource Management from Bangor University with hands on practical habitat volunteering work (quote, 'the best bit!'), Callum has thorough knowledge of Cornwall's wildlife and wild spaces. As Director of Nature Recovery, Callum leads the teams which look after Trust land and support others to maximise the opportunity for wildlife on their land. Callum grew up in Kent and began his career as an Environmental Consultant in London, later moving to Devon and eventually to Cornwall for the dream job! He lives in Mylor Bridge with his family and is passionate about all Cornwall's wildlife on land and in the sea.     

Cheryl Marriott, Director of Nature & People

Cheryl joined the Trust back in 2005 after early career roles in Wales and England in Countryside Management, Environmental Education and with a local authority Countryside Team. As a pragmatic conservationist, Cheryl has a keen interest in working with other sectors on nature recovery and in encouraging everyone to maximise their own personal contribution, big or small. Whilst at the Trust, career highlights include steering a course through the controversial topic of badgers and bovine TB, helping to set-up and expand our work with the farming sector, and more recently encouraging the use of rewilding principles in Cornwall, especially river rewilding with the help of Eurasian beavers. Much of Cheryl's spare time is spent either exploring the wilder parts of Cornwall or kayak racing on various southwest rivers as part of Truro Canoe Racing Club.  

James Webb, Director of Fundraising & Communications

James has worked in the charity sector for more than 15 years, with roles spanning fundraising, communications and philanthropy. As Head of Major Gifts at Oxfam, he increased philanthropic support by more than 50%, coordinated department responses to several humanitarian emergencies, and co-led a major research project into philanthropic interests and motivations. Originally from Cornwall, James returned to the Lizard peninsula in 2019 after years in Oxford and London, joining Cornwall Wildlife Trust in March 2020. He and his team work to inspire support for Cornwall's magnificent - but threatened - wildlife and wild places. James can frequently be found on, in or near the ocean, swimming year-round, exploring our coast by paddleboard, walking the coast path, and (occasionally) surfing badly.