Our Staff

Paul Cox

CEO

When I first started SCUBA diving 25 years ago, I could never have imagined that I’d end up being so closely involved in shark and ray conservation. I’m now very proud to be the Managing Director of the Shark Trust, as I have been for the past 4 years. I’m obviously involved in all aspects of the Trust’s work. But in particular I lead on the fundraising and partnership work which keeps us moving forward and growing in influence. I’m a marine biologist by training. But I’ve got a background in conservation communication and education so I’m fascinated by how we communicate as well as what we communicate.

If I had to pick a favourite shark I think I’d go for the Blue. They’re just great looking sharks with a fascinating life history. But then you could say that about most sharks!

Ali Hood

Director of Conservation

Working as the Trust’s Director of Conservation constantly inspires and challenges me, and has kept me motivated in my role since I started with the Trust in 2002! I work to secure management and protection for vulnerable species; to develop sustainable fisheries; to hold governments and industry to account for their commitments, and to call them out when they're falling short or praise them for success! And to endeavour to inspire the public, researchers, documentary makers, and the media to step away from the tired rhetoric of sharks as species to fear. Instead to grasp the consequences of biodiversity loss, and the fundamental role played by elasmobranchs in our ocean’s health. I also get to work with a phenomenal team of people, both within the Trust, and in our global network of collaborators. What’s not to love?!

…but don’t ask which shark I like best, there’s too many to choose from!

Cat Gordon

Senior Conservation Officer

I’ve been passionate about nature for as long as I can remember, but it was discovering SCUBA diving at the age of 14 that sparked my fascination with the ocean and everything within. That later led me to study Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology (BSc Hons) and Conservation Biology (MSc), as well as becoming a PADI Divemaster. I joined the Shark Trust’s conservation team in 2010.I now lead the Community Engagement programme, overseeing citizen science initiatives such as the Basking Shark Project and the Great Eggcase Hunt – I still love seeing people’s excitement having discovered their first mermaid’s purse! I’m currently developing a new project, Living with Sharks, which explores how healthier shark populations could affect coastal communities. Through my time here I’ve worked on highly threatened species, such as sawfishes and angel sharks - for which I have contributed towards the development of multiple conservation action plans.My favourite shark is….difficult to answer! I’m fascinated by Goblin Sharks as they are just so bizarre with their bubblegum pink hue and protruding jaws. I love hammerheads as I’ve had some great diving experiences with them in the Red Sea, and I have a soft spot for underappreciated species - especially the flat ones!

Caroline Robertson-Brown

Marketing Manager

I saw my first wild shark on my first dive after becoming a qualified diver and I was hooked! I went on to become a diving instructor, underwater photographer and journalist. I have a degree in Biology and an MSc in Animal Behaviour. My passion for sharks and rays only gets stronger the more I see and learn about them.

My role at the Shark Trust is to ensure our message and goals reach a wide audience. Engaging existing shark lovers and inspiring people to appreciate and protect the incredible species within the shark, ray, skate and chimera families. 

My favourite shark is the Great Hammerhead Shark. Amazing to encounter underwater. Incredible evolutionary design. 

Harriet Allen

Citizen Science Data Officer

I have been passionate about the ocean, conservation, and sharks for as long as I can remember, and it has always been a dream of mine to work in shark and ray conservation - so I’m very pleased to now be working with The Shark Trust! I studied my MSc in Marine Environmental Management, which was followed by a few years working in conservation with a focus on spatial analysis. I joined the Shark Trust in 2022 and as the Citizen Science Data officer I manage all the eggcase records and sightings that are submitted to our databases. Once checked, I use that data to pick out trends or other interesting information from the data collected over the last 20 years.

Mark Packer

Outreach & Engagement Coordinator

I can still remember when I first became obsessed with sharks when I was 8yrs old, it was much like the phases I had of being obsessed with other animals, but it never ended.

I was studying and working as a nurse, always with one eye on the shark world and how I could get involved in any way I could. In 2021, I went back to university to study MSc Marine Conservation, and I was lucky enough to join the Shark Trust team.

I cover our Outreach and Engagement, making shark science and conservation accessible to all! This includes educational workshops, social media, working with aquariums and hosting the Shark Trust Podcast!

My favourite shark is the Shortfin Mako Shark. It was the shark that got me into shark conservation on the No Limit’s campaign.

Jack Renwick

Fisheries Conservation Officer

I’m a conservationist with a passion for being in, on, or under the water, so I’m very glad to be working as the Conservation Officer for Fisheries at the Shark Trust!

I studied BSc Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology followed by MSc Marine Conservation, then began my career in conservation in fisheries enforcement. At The Shark Trust, I advocate for sustainable fisheries for non-threatened species and secure necessary management for highly threatened species. I’m involved in fisheries policy and management planning, stakeholder engagement, campaign activity, and developing resources.

My favourite shark is the Goblin shark, mostly because of how strange they are. They are the only surviving species in a 125 million year old family of sharks, plus they can protrude their jaws to catch prey!

Hettie Brown

Conservation Officer

I have always loved being in and on the water and won’t go anywhere without my mask and snorkel. So, after studying BSc (Hons) French, German and Spanish I pursued my passion to protect the marine environment and studied for an MSc in Marine Conservation.

During my year abroad in Ecuador, I began my SCUBA training and saw my first shark (a baby blacktip) and the most impressive oceanic manta rays. Ever since then I’ve had a soft spot for sharks and rays, and I am super excited to be working at the Shark Trust!

Here, I get to use both my degrees; I am using my language skills to translate lots of our work and make sure our message and goals reach the widest audience possible, whilst also getting involved with campaigns and communications for the public and policymakers.

In line for position as my favourite shark stand the scalloped hammerhead, for its quirky head shape, or the whale shark, for their incredible size and majesty.

Louis Hogan

Content & Communications

One of the earliest and most accurate appraisals of me was made by my reception class teacher who said I was “completely obsessed with animals.” I haven’t changed, except I’ve added to this the desire for visual storytelling. My role as Content Creator at Shark Trust involves producing compelling and educational video content that breathes life and brings motion into the cause of shark conservation. It’s a new role, and truly my dream job.

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and I work closely with our team, trustees, patrons, volunteers, and our great wide pool of public supporters, to curate and promote content, and ensure our values of credibility and approachability shine through in every film. Before studying for the excellent University of Plymouth Marine Conservation MSc, I cut my teeth in business and political journalism – until my heart led me back to my first love. My favourite shark is the Great White – for being the most maligned, most misjudged, and most misunderstood – it’s at the beating heart of our mission to inform.