Posted on May 26, 2026
After an in-depth recruitment process, we’re delighted to announce the appointment of three new Trustees to the Wild Trout Trust’s Board. Nick Heasman, Penny Gane, and Nick Sandall (who will be serving as Vice Chair) all bring immense passion and a wealth of valuable experience. We’re grateful that they have chosen to dedicate their time to our charity, and we look forward to working with them!
Nick Heasman
Nick is passionate about the natural world and has dedicated his professional career, and often his free time, to its conservation. With over 30 years of professional experience in the environmental sector (as a chartered forester, chartered rural surveyor, chartered ecologist, and chartered environmentalist) he has provided his expertise and strategic leadership to landowners, land managers, government bodies, partners, educational institutes, rural estates, and the private sector. He currently works for the South Downs National Park Authority as Head of Natural Capital, where he leads the growth, governance, and delivery of natural capital programmes, to deliver nature recovery, societal benefits, and climate resilience. He is happiest in waders and is often found in the river, with either a rod or a bowsaw in hand.
Penny Gane
Penny is an environmental lawyer with over 18 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, focused on freshwater. Previously Head of Practice at Fish Legal, she has worked closely with landowners, fisheries interests, and angling clubs to bring cases addressing both chronic and acute threats to fish populations. Penny has also led strategic litigation that has helped to advance the law relating to UK rivers, bringing deep expertise of the legal and regulatory landscape to her role as a Trustee. She is a passionate advocate for the need to protect and restore freshwater habitats to build resilience for vulnerable species in the face of growing pressures, including climate change.
Nick Sandall
Nick joins us following a 40-year career in consulting and coaching, which included 16 years as a Senior Partner at Deloitte. He now splits his time between board roles — including serving as a Trustee for the military charity The Not Forgotten — and his work as an executive coach and fishing guide. Through his company, Piscaries, Nick combines his corporate leadership background with his lifelong passion for fly fishing, using the river environment to guide people through career transitions. As a passionate conservationist, Nick brings his commercial experience to support the Wild Trout Trust team, whether that’s helping to navigate new funding partnerships, ensuring strong governance, or simply offering a sounding board for the charity’s future plans. When he isn’t working, he can usually be found somewhere on a riverbank, chasing wild brown trout and enjoying the peace of the river environment.