Our Trustees
Our Trustees
Our trustees
Ben Wickham - Board Chair
I’ve always wanted to help out those in the world who haven’t had the same advantages some get, and my passion for animal advocacy was ignited when I started to rescue commercial chickens from caged farms and broiler sheds. What they go through breaks my heart every day, and it’s my lifelong mission to rebuild the world, leaving it better for everyone who comes after them, and us.
You can see in my picture Paula, one of the oldest hens who lived with us, who used to come inside for a nap on my shoulder or arm. I’ve got a picture of her tattoo’d where she used to sleep. She was named after Paula Radcliffe, and in case you wondered why, I run a lot!
In my day job, I’m part of the leadership team at Sky Sports, looking after the live output, graphics, studios, and styling. Before that I spent 20 years as TV director in News, across most of the main UK channels, and various fun projects. I’ve shot a hidden camera show where we broke into a car on live TV, and I’ve directed the Queen at Christmas. And most things in between! I want to bring this insight into story telling, media, and the years embedded in leadership teams of some of the best media organisations in the UK to THL, and help make a better world for the animals, and the people that love them.Samantha Batey
I work in engineering so I am a little obsessed with data and research! When I first stopped consuming animal products (in food, cosmetics, cleaning products, etc.) I studied plant-based nutrition for a few months to ensure I had all the facts for when people questioned, ridiculed or doubted the importance and safety of removing animal products from our diet. I studied the Animal Welfare and Agriculture Acts, and related regulations, to really understand the facts, metrics and case studies when discussing and campaigning for the welfare of the billion mammals and birds, and billions of fish, reared every year in the UK.
Currently, I spend time building my company, Refraction, a climate technology firm (our objective is to help move capital urgently in the right direction through the climate crisis), alongside trustee work for various charities which I care about deeply. I love boxing, Muay Thai and yoga, as well as hiking and mountain climbing.
Once my company has reached our next round of funding, I intend to build an animal sanctuary (a lifelong, no-harm home for rescued animals raised for food), which will also offer free educational programmes and visitation for people to more easily understand where their food comes from, and the importance of reducing the use of chemicals in food production.Nicola Green
My journey with THL UK started in May 2021 when I was delighted to join as a Trustee.
I grew up on a small dairy and beef farm in Devon. When I turned 50, I discovered the joy of health and fitness podcasts while I learnt to run. As my running distances increased, so my awareness grew. I learnt more about the benefits of a plant based diet and experienced a transformation of my original beliefs and attitudes. As the lights of new knowledge were being turned on, I felt deep grief at the real suffering of so, so many animals raised for food. This was my motivation for personal change and for joining the movement at THL UK. My passion is learning about what makes us become open to new information and to transform - what drives this process and what prevents it.
My professional background is in Human Resources and leadership, having worked in Engineering and Charity sectors in UK and Germany for many years. Currently I live and work in Glastonbury with my husband and vocal cat, Charlie who adopted us as his new humans two years ago.
THL UK shows what we can achieve when we join together and I am so proud of all the staff, volunteers and contributors to this vital work.James Ozden
I’m James Özden, a grantmaker at a US-based family foundation that focuses on removing animals from our food system. I’m incredibly excited to join the THL UK board for several reasons, but primarily because I think THL UK is doing incredibly focused and impactful work to help millions of farmed animals in the UK.
I think THL UK plays an essential role in the animal advocacy ecosystem, with its hard-hitting campaigning that directly pressures food businesses (and occasionally, the Government) to drop their most egregious practices that hurt animals. I’m looking forward to supporting THL UK in whatever way I can.
Before my current role, I ran a small non-profit in the UK, Social Change Lab, that conducts empirical research on social movements, particularly focusing on the impacts of disruptive protest within the animal rights and climate movement. Before that, I was running the UK-based campaigning group, Animal Rebellion (now Animal Rising).Lynn Percival
I’m Lynn Percival and I’ve been working in fundraising for almost 15 years, across a range of disciplines and organisations (including Rich Mix arts venue and Stonewall, the LGBT+ charity).
I’ve been a member of the Jane Goodall Institute’s global team for the past five years, supporting the 30 offices worldwide to grow their income, and leading on high-value international partnerships.
I’m so excited to join THL UK as a trustee and being as helpful to the mission as I can. I’ve always been a passionate advocate for animals so it’s a dream of mine to join the THL Board. I’m a huge admirer of the work, particularly the focus on having the biggest impact for the most animals possible, and the legal challenge against DEFRA (always the one I mention when talking about THL to others!).