OUR PEOPLE

I have an MSc in Geosciences (Germany) and an MSc in Hazards & Disaster Management (UK). I chose to focus on Disaster Management after working as a Geologist in Germany and realised how important it is to try to involve the population and communities affected by a certain hazard or disastrous event.

Jean has been part of the National Flood Forum (NFF) since 2014, where she serves as both an administrator and a helpline advisor. Her responsibilities extend to providing backroom administrative support to the NFF’s team officers.

Alan joined the National Flood Forum in September 2024 and brings a wealth of experience in network engagement, community development, operations and communications with over

Richard joined the National Flood Forum in February 2025, bringing extensive experience in financial management, business planning, and strategic support for charities and non-profit organizations within the environmental, heritage, and arts sectors. When not getting excited about spreadsheets, he delivers yoga classes, workshops and retreats in North Wales

My name is Edward; I joined the National Flood forum team in May 2022 after graduating from the University of Manchester with a BA in Geography with International Study. I am working within the London Borough of Waltham Forest as a trainee flood engagement officer. I am both excited and passionate to be working with communities in this area as it is situated close to where I am originally from in East London.

Hi, I’m Sarah, a Flood engagement officer. I graduated in 2011 from Harper Adams University with a BSc (Hons) in Countryside and Environmental Management. This is after growing up on the floodplain of the River Severn and Vyrnwy in rural North Shropshire, witnessing the impacts of major flooding events on my community.

I have previously worked with young adults with additional needs to support them to become independent with everyday tasks such as meal preparation, job applications, washing a vehicle, accessing the community through using buses, trains and taxis and achieve their potential through work experience opportunities in gyms and garden centres. Away from work, I enjoy participating in distance running events. I am also a qualified lifeguard and gym instructor, as well as having a qualification in horticulture.

My name is Hayley Bevan. I joined the National Flood Forum in February 2023 as a Trainee Flood Engagement Officer. My degree in Geography & Natural Hazard Management as well as my background in teaching Secondary School Geography has equipped me with the knowledge and skills needed to empower communities to take control of their own flood risk.

My name is Sophie and I recently joined the NFF team in April 2023. I studied International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response (BSc) at the University of Manchester. I’ll be helping to support communities in the Midlands as a Trainee Flood Engagement Officer.

As a born-and-bred Salopian I’ve witnessed the increasing impact flooding has had on local communities and I look forward to being able to help support at-risk groups.

My name is Jahnvi Shah, I joined the National Flood Forum in May as Trainee Flood Engagement Officer and I have a master’s degree in Sustainability, Design and Entrepreneurship. I have a huge interest in climate change and extreme weather conditions and the impact it has on ‘at risk’ communities.
Previously I have also worked for an environmental agency as a marketing and content assistant – in this role I had an opportunity to express current and emerging sustainability issues and solutions. During my free time I like to spend time with my little daughter, travel to new places, try out new foods and read books.

My name is Charlotte and I joined the NFF team as a Trainee Flood Engagement Officer in August 2023. I studied Geography (BA) at the University of Oxford, and I will primarily be supporting communities in Lancashire.

During my studies, I took an interest in community networks and their potential to create positive change. Communities affected by flooding face unique challenges, and I am passionate about supporting them to advocate for themselves.

As a Trainee Flood Engagement Officer for the National Flood Forum, I joined in September 2023. After completing an MSc in International Development at the University of Birmingham in December 2022, I am eager to apply the lessons I learned there, and to work with flooded communities throughout rural West Midlands.

I joined the National Flood Forum in November 2023 after relocating from Sheffield to London. After graduating from the University of Sheffield with a BA in Sociology, I gained experience in the third sector through working with mental health services and environmental organisations.

As a Trainee Flood Engagement Officer, I will be working with my project partner, Ed, across the Greater London region. I am hugely excited to both support and learn from communities across the city.

My name is James Stevens, and I joined the National Flood Forum in June 2024. I completed my first degree in Development Studies which enabled me to look at how Natural Resources, Economics and Social factors impact developing countries. On completing my degree, I worked in a number of administrative roles in London, before moving into Youth Work and then undertaking a Masters in Social Work Studies at Southampton University. I have worked in this subject area since 2005, both in the UK and abroad. I have always been interested in environmental matters as our world changes, and in this role at the National Flood Forum I would like to use the skills I have gained in my previous roles to engage, support and empower communities who have been affected by flooding.

My name is Rebecca, and I joined the National Flood Forum in October 2024 as a Trainee Flood Engagement Officer. I completed an BSc in human and physical Geography at the University of Reading, where I focused my dissertation on the importance of community empowerment through having a connection to nature. Through this I got to work with a variety of people in the local community, and saw the importance of strong networks needed for a community to thrive. I will be helping to supporting communities in London and the Home Counties who have been affected by flooding.

In my spare time I love to bake and spend time in nature and have previously volunteered for the London Wildlife Trust as a conservationist.

Hi, I’m Alex. I joined the National Flood Forum in November 2024 as a Trainee Flooding Engagement Officer. I have recently graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in BSc Geography.

My dissertation research focused on mapping the flooding inequality in cities in England. During my research, I identified how flood risk is becoming increasingly unequal across fluvial and tidal floodplains, and highlighted how the burden of flooding is often concentrated in economically vulnerable communities. This research has furthered my interest in advocating for communities that are at risk of flooding and I am excited to work alongside and empower at risk communities across Staffordshire.

My name is Heather, and I’m pleased to join the National Flood Forum as a Trainee Flood Engagement Officer. I have a background in project management, event organisation, and community engagement, developed through various roles and nine years as Chairperson for CLAPA (Cleft Lip and Palate Association) Essex. During that time, I led fundraising efforts, organised events, and built strong, supportive networks within the community.

I’m deeply committed to helping communities navigate challenges and rebuild after adversity. In this role, I look forward to supporting those in London and the Home Counties who have been affected by flooding, listening to their experiences, and working with them to build resilience and find practical solutions.

In my spare time, I enjoy baking, upcycling, and walking my cocker spaniel, Bodie. Spending time outdoors is important to me, and I value the creativity and calm these hobbies bring to my life. I hope to bring this same sense of care and dedication to the work I do with the National Flood Forum.

My name is Abbi, and I joined the NFF in October 2024. I hold a BSc in International Political Economy from City, University of London, which has given me a solid understanding economic and political systems and the challenges they pose in communities.

I will be supporting communities within the Shropshire area. I am passionate about supporting communities to help them navigate the challenges posed by flooding.

I joined the National Flood Forum in March 2024 and look forward to being part of the wider team. My previous experience has equipped me with a 10-year supply chain and operational background which will allow me to use my expertise and knowledge whilst working at the NFF.

I am a hard-working and driven individual who isn’t afraid to face a challenge. I’m passionate about the NFF and putting my skill set to test. I would describe myself as an open and honest person.

During my spare time I enjoy long nature walks, my favourite place is Windsor and I have come across many royals along the way. I volunteer fortnightly to feed the homeless in the Berkshire area this is giving back to the community which is very rewarding.

Craig worked with the Environment Agency for over 30 years before retiring in 2021. He has senior management experience in policy and operational roles and is a Chartered Civil Engineer.

Working in the Thames Valley as Flood Risk Manager and then Area Director he gained first-hand experience of the impact of floods on people, businesses and their communities.

David lives in the Weald of Kent in a small parish community. He is married and has three children and six grandchildren.

He is a son of a farmer and before retiring in 2010 spent his working life in agriculture. He worked on a farm for seven years before spending twenty-four years teaching at an agricultural college ending up as Head of Agriculture.

Cherry is the CEO for a small charity based in Nottingham, supporting communities in some of the most deprived areas of the City.  The Renewal Trust provides a range of activities and support those these communities and the Charity incorporates a trading company and a further subsidiary company which manages the Grade 2* English Heritage listed St Anns Allotments.

Cherry has worked in the voluntary sector for over 30 years, across Lancashire and in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, in various capacities including several Trusteeships at the Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum and the WMI. She is currently Trustee for the Nottingham Open Spaces Forum.

Enrico is a water engineer with 25 years of professional experience in flood risk assessment and management. During his career he has worked for a wide range of clients both in the public and private sector in the UK and in Italy. He has helped in shaping the flood risk policy and produced flood risk management studies on behalf of various local authorities including the City of Westminster. He has undertaken many flood risk emergency plans and climate change adaptation strategies for both infrastructure and development and led on hundreds of flood risk assessments embedding resilience and sustainable drainage solutions (SuDS) in a wide range of projects from small urban developments up to large scale masterplans.

Based in London, he is now the UK Water Environment Department Manager for Sweco.

Bob retired in 2016 after running a successful Home Improvements company which he set up in 2005.

This was a complete change of career after spending 25years in retailing starting as a branch manager. He then spent a four year spell in Jersey helping to set up a new sister company and returned to the mainland in 1986, progressing to a Senior Operations Manager, responsible for 240 stores.

Phiala and a group of her former neighbours formed Loddon Valley Residents Association (LVRA) in response to the large 2007 flood event and subsequent local events in 2008 and 2009.

From the outset LVRA has worked closely, chairing regular meetings with, Wokingham Borough Council, the Environment Agency, Thames Water, the National Flood Forum, Loddon Fisheries conservation Consultative (LFCC) and other Wokingham based flood groups

After studying geology at Cardiff University, Peter worked for the British Geological Survey for eight years before moving to the Department of the Environment.

From 2000 he worked in research programme management, finance and science policy.  In 2004 he moved to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Planning Directorate

Although retired since 2018 I had a background chiefly in tourism.  I started a holiday cottage agency which I successfully ran for 30 years and, with my husband, ran a B&B for 18 years building both businesses back up from the impacts of Foot & Mouth on the Cumbrian economy (2001) and then three devastating floods. I fully understand the trauma of losing your home – and business – to flooding.

Dr Sally Priest is a social geographer having been awarded her PhD from the University of Southampton.

She is the Head of the Flood Hazard Research Centre at Middlesex University and has studied, researched and taught about flood risk and flood risk management for over 20 years.

Michael lives in the Midlands with his wife and three children and is now a self-employed hydrologist.

He has 15 years’ experience in flood risk management in both the public and private sector, working for Local Authorities in the management of local flood risk – including engagement with communities at risk of flooding – as well as more technical work related to estimating floods and providing forecasts and warnings of potential flooding.

Having completed masters degrees in Environmental Science and Transport Planning, Dan has worked in the public sector for over 20 years as a flooding and highway specialist in the south west of England.

Dan has been an active member of the strong flood community within Somerset, notably as Flood Risk Manager at the county council. He was also a key member of the unique partnering and funding arrangement that established the Somerset Rivers Authority following the devastating flood events in 2012 and 2013/14.