Staff
Dr. Ben Darvill - Development Manager and Ecologist
With a background in bumblebee conservation research, Ben has a great enthusiasm to see research outputs translated into habitat improvements on the ground.
Ben manages the BBCT team and handles finances, grants, fundraising, media enquiries, web design and behind the scenes developments. His ecological knowledge is also occasionally called upon!
Christiane Nitsch - Administrator and Transect Coordinator
Chrissie keeps the office in order, deals with membership admin and responds to enquiries. On top of all of this she finds time to administer the BBCT bumblebee transect survey, which aims to chart how bumblebee populations change over time.
Chrissie is off on maternity leave at present.
Dr. Robert (Bob) Dawson - Conservation Officer for Scotland
Bob is an all-round naturalist and an expert in moths, birds, bees and more besides. He also knows more than a thing or two about agri-environment schemes, which comes in handy. His work centres around the declining 'Great Yellow Bumblebee' in the north and west of Scotland.
You can read more about the background of Bob's project work here, or follow his progress on his blog.
Dr. Nikki Gammans - Project Officer for the SubT reintroduction
The Short-haired bumblebee (Bombus subterraneus) is extinct in the UK but is alive and well in New Zealand. A partnership project between BBCT, Hymettus, Natural England and RSPB hopes to bring them back. Read more about how and why we want to do this here
Nikki knows a thing or two about reintroductions, having successfully worked with rare ants in the past.
Emma Heskey - Membership Administrator
Emma is a Stirling University graduate with a keen interest in bumblebees. She's currently running the membership scheme and improving our various database systems. The Trust has grown from zero to around 4,000 members in 3 years, and the systems which worked fine for a few hundred members are now a little stretched!
Natasha Rolph - Outreach and Education Officer
Another Stirling graduate, Natasha responds to general enquiries, manages our volunteers and coordinates events and talks. She only started with the Trust at the beginning of May, but is learning fast!
Dr. Pippa Rayner - Conservation Officer for England and Wales
Pippa's background is in habitat creation and restoration. Her PhD examined ways in which green hay can be used to add species richness to grasslands.
The main focus of Pippa's work is on the Shrill Carder bumblebee (Bombus sylvarum). This species gives us great cause for concern as it now only survives at a handful of sites. Habitat creation will be key to its survival. Learn more about the project here, of follow her blog
