Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust announced the appointment of two new Directors who will join the charity in September 2026.
Both newly created roles, Em Atkins will join the Trust as Director of Development, while Susan Hicks will take up the role of Chief Operating Officer.
The appointments follow a review of the organisation’s structure and roles undertaken during spring 2026 to ensure the charity is well placed to meet future opportunities and challenges for nature, people and places across Nottinghamshire with the aim to create a wilder Nottinghamshire by inspiring and supporting more people than ever to take action for wildlife.
Em brings a strong background in senior strategic leadership across the sport and the charity sector including CEO roles at Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Groundwork Five Counties and Director of Coaching for UK Coaching. Her experience includes developing partnerships and connecting people and organisations to achieve positive impact.
Susan joins the Trust from Paddle UK where she held a number of senior roles, most recently as Director of Operations. During that time, she helped shape the organisation’s strategy, strengthened governance and build a more sustainable, financially resilient organisation.
The new Directors will join Chief Executive Paul Wilkinson, Janice Bradley MBE, Director of Nature Recovery, and Liz Fleuty, Director of Action for Nature, and Susanna Smale, Consultancy Director to form the Trust’s new Strategic Leadership Team.
Paul Wilkinson, Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Em and Susan to Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust at an important time for the charity. Their skills and experience will add real strength to our strategic leadership team as we continue to adapt, grow and deliver our ambitions for nature’s recovery across Nottinghamshire.”
Both Em and Susan stated they were excited to join the Trust with Em saying, “I look forward to play a part in helping connect people, partners and supporters with the Trust’s vital work for wildlife and wild places.”
Susan Hicks continued: “Having spent so many years involved in the protection of our waterways I’m looking forward to becoming part of an organisation that is leading the way in the protection of our incredible wildlife and wild places across Nottinghamshire.”
