Annual General Meeting 2026

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a yearly meeting between our members and Board of Trustees. It is a chance to hear about what we have achieved with your support, and look ahead to our plans for the coming year and beyond.

The purpose is to give members an update on our activities and finances for the previous year (the 2026 AGM will provide updates on the financial year 2025/26). Members of The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales attending the AGM will be asked to vote on certain actions, which is done by a show of hands. These matters include:

• approving audited accounts, which will be shared on our website ahead of the AGM
• voting for new Trustees to be appointed to the Board
• approving the minutes of last year's AGM

Members can ask questions during the AGM, and we ask that these be submitted ahead of time. Please submit your AGM questions to the Chair by emailing d.clark@welshwildlife.org no later than Monday 16th November 2026.

The AGM is run by the Chair of The Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales. There will be a report on the charity's achievements and plans, given by the Chief Executive, along with updates from some staff members on their work.

Our members are invited to join Trustees and staff at The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales’ 24^th Annual General Meeting on Thursday 26 November 2026!

To receive Zoom joining details members are requested to RSVP as soon as possible to d.clark@welshwildlife.org (please give your name, address/postcode and membership number if known). The latest time for registration is 3.00 pm on 26th November 2026.

Agenda 

6.30 pm Welcome and introduction by Paul Culyer, WTSWW Chair, and Sarah Kessell, Chief Executive will give a report of the work achieved during the year 2025/26 and some thoughts on work for 2027 and beyond.

7.00 pm There will be a series of short updates from staff - Michelle Richards and Tim Hollis WTSWW’s Farm Liaison Officers will talk about the projects they are working on with farmers, and Paul Thornton, Reserves Manager will showcase the work done on the Cartersford Reserve, Gower.

7.45 pm (approx) A short break followed by the formal part of the AGM.

1) To receive apologies for absence

2) To approve minutes of AGM held on 20-11-25 (available to download or hard copy on request*)

3) Chairperson’s report

4) Finance Report and presentation

4 a) To receive the annual audited accounts and reports for the financial year ended 31 March 2026 (available to download or hard copy on request)

5) To confirm the appointment of the following to the Board of Trustees: Jack O’Shea, Tara-Jane Sutcliffe, Lavinia Thomas (personal profiles are shown below)

6) To confirm the re-appointment of the auditors Bevan Buckland

7) Questions from Members (previously notified to Chair**)

Keynote speaker: 'The archaeology of Skomer and Skokholm: recent surveys and discoveries’

Our keynote speakers, Dr Toby Driver and Louise Barker from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, who have both been working on Skomer and Skokholm over the last two years, will give a lecture on the tremendous discoveries made.  

*Further details including the Trustees Annual Report and Accounts, and minutes of the last AGM are available on the Trust website or available as hard copy by contacting Diana Clark on d.clark@welshwildlife.org.

**Please submit your AGM questions to the Chair by emailing d.clark@welshwildlife.org no later than Monday 16^th November 2026.

We have three new Trustees standing for vote at this year's AGM. Read more information about these candidates:

Jack O’Shea - Pembrokeshire

We have a unique, challenging opportunity to alter the course of history before it is too late. I am devoted to leaving a better world for my son and future generations, and I believe it is my purpose to lead and inspire others on that journey.

A multidisciplinary sustainability professional and passionate planetary steward, I thrive at the intersection of people, planet and enterprise, translating complex challenges into positive opportunities. Alongside my family, my passion for my home, Cymru - specifically the Southwest - and nature are unrivalled. The opportunity to contribute as a WTSWW Trustee would be a privilege.

Tara-Jane Sutcliffe - Carmarthen

Based in Llandeilo, close to the Dinefwr estate, I have long admired the work of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and would value the opportunity to contribute to its mission to restore nature, tackle the climate crisis and help more people experience, value and champion the natural environment. My commitment to these objectives has shaped my professional life, including leading the St Helena National Trust and serving with a DEFRA advisory group, on the Board of the West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre and the National Trust Council. I am deeply committed to nature's recovery, locally and globally.

Lavinia Thomas - Ceredigion

Nature is woven into the fabric of Wales; our landscapes, our livelihoods, our communities and our sense of cynefin. Coming from a farming background in rural West Wales has given me first-hand insight into how farming and nature conservation can work successfully alongside one another. Protecting wildlife begins with inspiring people to care about it; as a Welsh-speaking primary teacher, I have the privilege of helping nurture that connection from an early age. I deeply value WTSWW’s work to protect and restore nature while connecting people with wildlife. I would bring a younger, Welsh-speaking perspective to the Board and a genuine commitment to helping nature and communities flourish together for generations to come.