Between 2008 and 2023 Max worked as General Manager for the National Trust, initially across the whole North Coast and then, following a decision to divide the portfolio, at Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede. During this time he was responsible for all day-to-day aspects of the strategy, including conservation, visitor servicing, working with key stakeholders and the delivery of the new visitor centre. Prior to his time with the National Trust Max had a variety of senior roles in the private and charitable sectors including CEO of Sperrins Tourism and Head of Primary Distribution for Sainsbury’s. He joined Northern Ireland Environment Link as CEO in July 2023.

Originally from Kent, Max is from a farming background and grew up with a passion for nature, a passion which he has brought to all of his previous roles, including looking at alternative transport solutions and fuel sources for Sainsbury’s. He moved to Northern Ireland in 2003 and is married with 2 sons. Aside from conservation and nature his interests include sport, especially as an enthusiastic coach for Coleraine’s under 18 rugby team, travel and the arts. He is a trustee of World Heritage UK, a Liveryman in the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and a Freeman of the City of London.

Joanne Sherwood is the Director of RSPB Northern Ireland, leading a dedicated team of staff and volunteers and inspiring them and others to save nature in Northern Ireland and on the Isle of Man, the latter in partnership with Manx Birdlife. She is a strong advocate of partnership working, including on an all-Ireland basis with BirdWatch Ireland. A water engineer by background, she is also the Vice Chair of Northern Ireland Environment Link and prior to joining RSPB in 2014, had a 20-year career in environmental regulation and management in England and Wales.

Jacqueline Gibson is successfully leading the world's longest running resource matching program, coined Industrial Symbiosis; saving companies money (average of £60k + a month!), protecting the environment, contributing to the global circular economy and ultimately guiding them along their journey to Net Zero. With a BSC Honors in Sustainability with Climate Change, she has over 25 years’ experience with UK industry developing climate mitigation actions coupled with conservation adaptation projects on the ground in Sub-Sahara Africa. She has carved sustainability positions in organisations along her journey using her passion, tenacity and drive. She was the first Sustainability Advisor for a UK or Irish Port, the first for a UK or Irish Construction Company, known as a guru in green building design and living, and in recent years was the first sustainability appointed person on a UK Landed Estate, declaring it the first in the UK to be carbon neutral by 2027! From decarbonising Blenheim Palace to marine conservation on Carlingford Lough, and leading HSBC’s citizen science global water program to managing Royal Dutch Shell’s biodiversity budget, she has won a number of global green awards and presented over the world on embedding SDGs into business practice.

Anne-Marie Campbell – lives and works in Mid Ulster. She graduated as an electrical engineer and has specialised in senior leadership within local government. Anne-Marie has worked across all Council service areas for over 20 years and is now Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Environment for Mid Ulster District Council. She is currently responsible for all Environment Services delivered by Council and leads the development and delivery of all capital projects. She is also Chair of the Board of Governors for a local grammar school and spends her spare time walking and enjoying the outdoors.