We are delighted to welcome five new Trustees to Epping Forest Heritage Trust’s board, to steer the delivery of our strategy and guide our work to protect and preserve Epping Forest’s irreplaceable biodiversity, culture and heritage now and for generations to come.
Along with their passion for the Forest, our new Trustees bring their extensive experience and skills in governance, heritage, culture, sustainability, and outdoor education. We look forward to working with them as we move forward to the next chapter of our development.
Here are our new Trustees.
Caroline Pantling
Having always had a passion for history and learning Caroline studied Educational Studies BA Hons at the University of York followed by an MA in Heritage Education and Interpretation at Newcastle University. She has worked for a variety of heritage organisations including the National Trust, the National Army Museum and Norfolk, Sheffield and West Berkshire museums. Her roles for these organisations have seen her work at locations including a 19th century lighthouse and coastline, an Elizabethan manor house and a medieval castle. As Head of Heritage Services for the Scouts Caroline leads a team who look after a collection which tells the story of the foundation and development of the Scout Movement. The team also interpret the fascinating 600 years of history at Gilwell Park, Chingford which includes tales of highwayman’s haunts and regency scandal.
Caroline has lived in Chingford for 8 years. Shortly after moving to the area she discovered that her maternal family had lived here up until the 1820s before moving to Derbyshire. Caroline volunteers with a local Cub Scout pack and enjoys taking the Cubs for hikes in the forest and seeing the enjoyment they gain from being outdoors.
Gail Scott-Spicer
Gail has a rich mix of Trustee, Chief Executive, and Non-Executive experience and loves Epping Forest.
She lives near Epping Forest in Loughton, and with her husband and children, enjoys the Forest on runs, long walks, bike rides, sledging in the snow and in den building! She is passionate about access to the Forest for all communities, its positive use, and ensuring it thrives for future generations.
Gail has led complex organisations dedicated to changing society and caring for those often ignored, including the Carers Trust and her current role at King’s College Hospital Charity, which she successfully led right through the COVID pandemic. She is an Independent NED of the Football Association’s Women’s Football Board and a Trustee of the Premier League Charitable Fund; previously holding the role of Vice Chair of the Money Advice Trust and being a Trustee of CharityComms, the professional association for communication professionals in the Third Sector.
Gail’s core skills are in leadership, governance, financial management, marketing and business development. A former Director of Communications for The Scout Association and a Head of Marketing and Communications for the Audit Commission, Gail holds the Institute of Directors Diploma in Company Direction and a MA in Marketing Management.
James Harrington
James has always lived near Epping Forest, and believes with its rich biodiversity this magnificent resource must be preserved, so that it can be used by everyone to improve their health and wellbeing.
As well as being a trustee, James is a school governor at a local Primary Academy and a Cultural Governor in Waltham Forest. During his career as a civil servant he has worked in several central government departments where he has been involved in work on environment and climate change policy.
In his role as a Trustee he not only wants to protect and nurture the Forest to flourish but also encourage all members from our diverse local community to feel welcome when visiting this excellent resource and in so doing hopefully encourage people of all ages to become more interested in learning about the biodiversity, conservation, heritage and culture of the Forest.
Jo Blackman
Jo lives in the south of Epping Forest and loves walking in the Forest with her family and identifying birds and nature.
Jo has been a Redbridge councillor representing Wanstead Village since 2018 and was appointed cabinet member for the environment and civic pride in 2021.
Her professional background is in campaigns and policy, most recently heading up a global campaign to tackle deforestation.
Jo was previously trustee and vice chair of Friends of Wanstead Parklands. Jo also set up the Aldersbrook Playground Campaign which made the case for improved facilities for children in Wanstead Park.
Jo is also a governor at a local primary school, Vice Chair of the East London Waste Authority, and represents London Councils on the Mayor of London’s Sustainable Development Commission.
Rosie Perry-Gosling
Rosie is a specialist in strategy and finance. Since graduating from Oxford with an MA in Human Sciences, she dived into the charity sector, before qualifying as a chartered accountant (ACA) at PwC and going on to focus on strategy consulting, working with a range of public and private sector clients, from government agencies to investment funds to FTSE 100 companies. She is currently Strategy Director at the Telegraph. Born and raised in the Shropshire countryside, Rosie now lives in Chingford and enjoys exploring the forest and all its wonders with her family.
To see the full profile of our board of Trustees, please visit here.