Patron and Board of Directors

Martin Belcher is chair of the Polygon Collective, Mr Belcher is well-known within the business community in Guernsey. The Polygon Collective is a carbon neutral organisation and has the largest fleet of micro electric cars in Guernsey. It also supports various philanthropic ventures, the latest being the library in the Art for Guernsey Gallery. He has long been associated with Guernsey rugby, serving as chair of the Guernsey Rugby Association and President of the Guernsey Rugby Club. Mr Belcher brings to the Commission a lifelong passion for the environment.

Mark was born and brought up in Guernsey and qualified as an accountant in the 1980’s before moving to the Caribbean for a period.  He returned to Guernsey in the 1990’s and has held several senior positions within the Finance Industry over the last 30 years before taking a step back at the end of last year to focus on the things that matter to him.  He has a desire to ensure Guernsey’s natural environment is enhanced and protected for future generations to enjoy and taking on the role of Finance Director of the Commission is an ideal way to support a great cause.

Wayne Atkinson is a partner at the law firm Collas Crill. Originally from the United Kingdom, Wayne went on to work in Asia and the Caribbean in large part due to his interest in marine life and wildlife photography before moving to the island in 2009. As an unabashed geek when it comes to all aspects of the natural world, Wayne hopes to combine his professional skills and personal knowledge in his role with the Nature Commission.

Laura McKerrell – Most recently Executive Director of the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce, Laura McKerrell has over ten years' experience working within communications and project management. She is currently self-employed, working with clients around the world predominantly in the publishing industry. Locally born and raised, Laura has always had a great love of the outdoors and, as a result, has a keen awareness of the need to protect and help to enhance the very special island of Guernsey.

Dr Amy Hall is the Director of Research and Training at Jersey based Sangan Island Conservation. Holding a BSc in Zoology, an MRes in In Ecology and Environmental Management, an LLM in environmental Law, and a PhD in Environmental Economics and Management, Amy has more than 20 years’ experience in the ecologically based research. In her work outside of Sangan Island Conservation Amy is the Chair of the Zoology Section of the Societe Jersiaise, Vice Chair of the membership Admissions Committee (MAC) at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and is Vice Chair of the Jersey Heritage Trust.

Paul Le Poidevin – Worked for over 30 years for Kleinwort Benson in the Channel Islands before co-founding regulated fiduciary services business Aquitaine Group Limited in 2008. A farmer's son, Paul has had a life-long passion for the natural world. As part of his retirement plans, he is in the very early stages of creating a nature reserve on the wildest part of the former family farm.

Steve Langlois has over 25 years of business experience in private and public utilities. He is currently Managing Director at Guernsey Water and a serving member of the Guernsey Dairy Management Board. Prior to this, whilst working for Anglian Water he gained Board experience with the Anglian Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and the River Nene Regional Park. As a chartered water and environmental manager, Steve is passionate about the water environment and has a keen interest in promoting the value of ecosystem services for physical and mental wellbeing.

Jessi was brought up in Guernsey where she discovered her passion for the marine environment and nature more generally, Ms Jennings has lived in New Zealand for the last several years. She has experience in environmental regulation, environmental policy development and biodiversity net gain outcomes as well as involvement with nature-related NGOs and citizen science projects.

The Nature Commission is honoured to have the Lieutenant-Governor of the Bailiwick of Guernsey as its patron.