The team - Whale and Dolphin Conservation

WDC has around 80 staff worldwide working in 6 locations.

They are led by a team of directors overseen by volunteer trustees who are responsible for ensuring we meet our charitable obligations.

Executive Directors

International and UK CEO: Chris Butler-Stroud
Director of Strategic Development: Chris Vick
Director of Finance: Jane Bryan
Director of Fundraising: Helen Mitchell
Director of Marketing and Communications: Ed Fox
Director of Policy: Vanesa Tossenberger
Director of Human Resources: Sian Davies-Hamilton
Executive Director North America: Regina Asmutis-Silvia
Executive Director Germany: Franziska Walter
Executive Director Australia: Declan Andrews
Executive Director Latin America: Caro Cassani

WDC staff have a wide range of skills, working in closely-knit teams across the organisation from policy to communications, fundraising to supporter relations and finance. In addition to this, we are supported by a wonderful group of volunteers kindly offering their time to help our cause.

Trustees

Lisa Drewe (Chair - joined 2016)

Dr Lisa Drewe spent a significant part of her career in senior roles within the Ministry of Defence and Foreign Office. With a PhD in biotechnology from the University of Cambridge she rekindled her passion for nature and the outdoors by joining the National Trust to lead their strategy development with the Board and trustees. Now a Director of her own sustainability consultancy she works to inform and change government policy and to support business do less harm through more responsible operations and strategy. She has an ambitious conservation goal for re-wilding oceans and people and for business to ultimately give back more than they take. A keen mountaineer and islandeer she spends all her free time exploring the British islands and coastline.

John Gerard Leigh (joined 1995)

John has extensive stockbroking experience in the City of London. In 1980 he moved to Bristol and became a partner in Laws & Co. In 1994 he became the Senior Director of Laws and a Main Board Director of Allied Provincial Securities, its parent company. John now concentrates on managing portfolios for both private clients and a number of major charities in Bristol.

Percy Kelland (Joined 2003)

Percy is a Chartered Accountant (FCA) with over 38 years’ experience in the voluntary and commercial sectors. He worked for 21 years for KPMG, 6 years at director level in industry, and 11 years as a self-employed business adviser. Having grown up on a farm on Exmoor, he has a lifelong passion for wildlife and conservation issues and is an active supporter and adviser to a number of charities. Percy chairs WDC’s Audit & Investment Committees.

Phil Smith (joined 2013)

Phil is a successful and highly experienced Senior Executive with extensive experience across a range of retail financial services products and commercial lending. He currently has responsibility for Nationwide's current account portfolio, but has extensive experience in product marketing, customer management, third party relationship management, commercial negotiation, sales development and commercial underwriting.

Johnny Reed (joined 1997)

Johnny has been involved in international banking and corporate finance since the 1970s and has worked for two major merchant banks in London, New York and Shanghai. He set up his own advisory business in 1998 and continues to advise UK companies on financial and strategic matters.