Our Trustees

Charles Hood (Chairperson)

Charles runs specialist Basking Shark and Blue Shark tours out of Penzance. Encountering sharks in the wild is a key means of gaining the public’s support for their survival and dispelling the myth that sharks are simply man-eaters. Charles’ close interaction with British sharks has also grabbed media attention, featuring on The One Show and the BBC’s Britain’s Secret Seas. A keen underwater photographer, Charles’ images have been used in many worldwide publications to promote marine conservation, including Shark Trust campaigns.

Sarah Fowler OBE (Founding Trustee)

Sarah has worked in marine ecology, conservation and management for over 25 years. She was Deputy Head of the former Nature Conservancy Council’s Marine Science Branch, the Nature Bureaus Director of Marine and Coastal Services and Co-founder of the European Elasmobranch Association. She was co-chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group and appointed a Pew Fellow in Marine Conservation in 2005. She was awarded the OBE for services to marine conservation in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Patricia Gardiner 

A commercially astute marketing leader with 20+ years of experience, Patricia is passionate about applying her expertise to drive positive change. Her background includes leading successful growth strategies, brand enhancement, and digital transformation. She is committed to leveraging this experience to support the Trust's crucial mission of shark, skate, and ray conservation, advocating for policy changes, and inspiring collective action. A healthy ocean needs sharks, and she is committed to helping secure greater support for their conservation.

David Elliott

David is currently Executive Director at Humane World for Animals UK, and was previously CEO at Trees for Cities. He has also served as CEO for the Future Forest Company and One Tribe Global, two environmental early stage companies. He has been in leadership roles in the sector for around 20 years, and spent much of this period working overseas. He is a Trustee and advisor for a range of environmental organisations. He first became involved with the Shark Trust over 20 years ago as a volunteer, and as a keen diver he has been fortunate to share the water with many species of sharks and rays.

Mark Boothman

Mark has been passionate about the ocean and sharks in particular from a young age. He has participated in a number of shark research and conservation expeditions both in the UK and internationally. He is a long term Shark Trust member and former director of the Shark Conservation Society. Mark is a practising litigation lawyer working in Jersey where he runs his own law firm.

Jayne Ensell-Bowen

Jayne spent many years as an HR manager in the communications, banking, and education sectors. Since moving to the West Country she has also become a Registered Homeopath and practices in Devon and Cornwall. As a parent she has a deep concern for the future of our world, our seas, and our wildlife. She hopes to use her skills and knowledge to support the Trust in their shark conservation work.

Roger Covey

Senior specialist marine officer for Natural England - Roger has worked in marine conservation nationally and regionally for more than 20 years, ranging from marine survey work throughout the UK during the early 1990s, to conservation roles in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly. He is recognised nationally as one of the leading figures in marine conservation and has chaired numerous meetings and events on marine issues.