Meet The Dorset Coast Forum Team

toni.powell@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224771

Toni joined as DCF Co-ordinator in October 2021, overseeing the DCF Team. After completing an MA in Environment and Development, Toni worked in the community, charity and fundraising sectors for over 25 years, developing a range of skills and experiences. Toni is a strong advocate of partnership working and engaging local communities in decision making, which together result in successful projects that benefit communities, economies and the environment. In her spare time Toni enjoys swimming, coastal walks and checking out cake shops in seaside towns!

nikki.parker-goadsby@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224346

Nikki has been with Dorset Coast Forum for 6 years, providing project support where needed in delivery, administration and stakeholder engagement, leading on the DCF eNews, social media and website development.  Nikki’s background is in Marine Biology and providing different levels of support to teams and management within a variety of industries and sectors. As a keen outdoor enthusiast, Nikki spends her spare time walking the coast or countryside with her husband and border collie or tending to their vegetable garden.

sara.parker@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224728 / 07780 148790

Sara joined the team in March 2022, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in the community and stakeholder engagement and education sectors, including over 10 years teaching in schools.  Previously a lead engagement coordinator for youth and river restoration projects at the National Trust, Sara built relationships in diverse and hard to reach communities that remain strong today. You can often find her marine litter picking along the beautiful Dorset coastline – often with her trusty Border Collie and SUP in tow.

james.mitchell@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224735 / 07901 257392

James joined the DCF team in July 2022. James’s background was originally in research, completing an MSc in Social Science Research Methods at the University of Bristol. His passion for community engagement and project management started whilst working as Youth Participation Manager for Dorset Cricket Board, managing a team working in over 100 Dorset schools and across 60 clubs, ultimately winning a national award. He has a great fondness for the Dorset coastline and loves working in a way that can help manage in a sustainable way.

dan.williams@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 228679

Dan grew up in the South West, going on to study BSc Environmental Science at Portsmouth University. Dan’s background is in community flood resilience, climate change, and public engagement, and he also recently finished his MSc in Climate Change and Development with SOAS University of London. In his spare time, Dan is a keen surfer so you’ll find him in the water, on the beach, or enjoying coastal walks with his wife, daughter and dog.

sarah.spurling@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224731 / 07387 645681

Sarah joined DCF in 2018 initially working in the Litter Free Coast and Sea team on bathing water quality projects. Sarah’s’ background is in nature conservation and environmental education bringing to the team extensive experience working with a wide range of people in the outdoors. She is passionate about helping people to connect with the natural environment and to be involved in positive community environmental projects that address the challenges we face. She enjoys open water sea swimming and exploring the coast with her young family.

izzy.kelsall@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 22483

Izzy studied Geography and Anthropology at UCL, with further studying in Sustainable Fashion. A career within the creative industries followed in operational and support roles over the last 15 years. In her experience she has operationally led companies to improve their sustainability.  After a few years of living in Valencia, Spain, Izzy and her husband moved to raise their young family in Dorset. She loves exploring the Dorset coast, fossil hunting with her kids and taking a dip in the sea. 

dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Dorset Coast Forum, County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ

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.

dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Dorset Coast Forum, County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ

Lee brings a broad perspective and wide-ranging experience gained during a long, operationally focused, career in the Royal Navy.  Latterly 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@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224760

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.