Steering Group

Meet the Steering Group

DCF is guided by an independent Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretariat, alongside the Steering Group who help steer and provide oversight of the work of the DCF team with support from the wider membership. Steering group members play a key role in the development of the forum.

The steering group meet twice a year and have been recruited for their skills and experience enabling them to support and guide the DCF team and our work.

Tony Flux

Tony Flux

Dorset Coast Forum Chairman

dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Tony is a Coast and Marine Adviser (SW) with the National Trust, a post he has held since 2007. Areas of responsibility include coastal erosion & flooding, geo-engineering, public access & safety, as well as community awareness-raising to issues surrounding climate change and sea level rise. Tony has a master’s degree in Coastal Zone Management, and after graduating worked as a DCF Project Officer for a period.

Lee Hardy OBE

Lee Hardy OBE

Dorset Coast Forum Vice Chairman

dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Lee brings a broad perspective and wide-ranging experience gained during a long, operationally focused, career in the Royal NavyLatterly he led a UK Overseas Territory, served as a marine and maritime adviser within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and is now closely engaged in the Blue Economy leading projects designed to counter illegality at sea, particularly in relation to fishing or that which is harmful to the oceans.

Bridget Betts

Bridget Betts

Dorset Coast Forum Secretariat, Environment Advice Team Manager, Dorset Council

bridget.betts@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Bridget is a leader that oversees five brilliant teams including, Dorset Coast Forum. Experienced facilitator with an excellent track record of bringing in funding and delivering a wide range of projects that benefit Dorset. 25 years of experience, a strong community and engagement background, effective delivery of multi-agency partnership work. 

Alan Frampton BSc C.Wem MCIWEM

Alan Frampton BSc C.Wem MCIWEM

Strategy & Policy Manager

FCERM, Transport and Engineering

Alan is part of a team of specialists within the Council’s dedicated FCERM Centre of Excellence, who provide expertise to risk management authorities across the South-West to address the challenges of flooding and coastal change; working with partners and local communities to share understanding of the challenges faced, enabling development of innovative solutions to strengthen resilience while enhancing the environment.

Dave Picksley

Dave Picksley

Senior Coastal Advisor, FCRM Wessex

Environment Agency

Dave has been a Senior Advisor for the Dorset Coast at the Environment Agency for 10 years, with over 20 years experience in a variety of coastal roles. He is involved in a variety of local and National Strategies and plans, capital scheme developments with local authorities and coastal research projects. Dave is a Chartered member of CIWEM and also a Chartered Scientist.

Imogen Davenport

Imogen Davenport

Conservation Director - Nature-based Solutions

Dorset Wildlife Trust

Imogen has been closely involved for over 20 years in nature conservation in Dorset, including development of biodiversity strategy, landscape-scale approaches, land-use planning, marine policy and development of Dorset Local Nature Partnership. She has worked for Dorset Wildlife Trust since 1996, and as a member of the Senior Management Team since 2001, currently heading up DWT’s Nature-based Solutions team.

Sally King

Sally King

Visitor Tourism and Access Manager

Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty / Jurassic Coast

Sally has worked along the Jurassic Coast since 2000 and joined Dorset AONB team in 2016. She was instrumental in setting up the Jurassic Coast brand when the Dorset and East Devon coast was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 2001. In recent years, she has played a key role in improving the visitor experience across Dorset AONB, through instigating better access for all, decluttering locations, and providing engaging and informative information for visitors.

Matthew Penny

Matthew Penny

Service Manager Flood & Coastal Erosion

Place Services, Dorset Council

Matthew’s current role is Service Manager for Flood & Coastal Erosion Risk Management at Dorset Council. Training as a coastal engineer he now has over 18 years’ experience working within the flood & coastal sector, both within the Environment Agency and Dorset Council. Matthew loves working within the coastal environment and also spend much of his leisure time there as well, including family beach days, coastal walks and paddleboarding. He lives in Dorset with my wife and family.

Natalie Poulter

Natalie Poulter

Dorset Catchment Partnerships Co-ordinator

Dorset Catchment Partnerships

Natalie has extensive experience of partnership working in the environment sector and protected landscapes, including previously being part of the DCF team. She is a facilitator, project manager and bid-writer working with NGOs, public sector orgs, water companies and other partnerships to improve water quality, habitats and climate resilience across Dorset’s catchments, from source to sea.

Ruth Barden

Ruth Barden

Director of Environmental Strategy

Wessex Water

Ruth has over 20 years experience in the water industry, particularly focussed on environmental and wastewater aspects. Ruth leads Wessex Water’s environmental investigation programme, catchment management and partnership teams and environmental policy. This involves elements of research, innovation and a high degree of collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders.