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Our Staff

The EAUC is fortunate to have a dynamic and dedicated staff base who are passionate both about sustainability and the Further and Higher Education sector. As the EAUC continues to grow, each member of staff strives to inspire change by continually learning and developing innovative new ways to solve problems and challenge unsustainable practices.

Drawing together a wide range of experience from a wide range of backgrounds, EAUC staff work hard to support all EAUC Members and strategic partners (and anyone else who needs them!) throughout the UK on all sustainability issues.

The EAUC has two offices. Thanks to a partnership with the University of Gloucestershire, the EAUC’s Head Office is based at their Park Campus in Cheltenham. The University of Gloucestershire has embraced sustainability and was the first to achieve university wide ISO14001 status.

We also have a Scotland office based at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh.

Head Office - Cheltenham
Iain Patton Chief Executive Commended by his Headmaster for being able to spell the word ‘environment’, it seemed Iain’s destiny at an early age that he would develop a passion for sustainability. This destiny was later fulfilled when Iain became the first dedicated Environmental Officer in a UK college. Iain soon became an EAUC trailblazer working as the part-time administrative officer, supporting the writing and realisation of a business plan for the charity. As the organisation grew and gained momentum, Iain became the EAUC’s first Chief Executive in September 2005 and is THE face of the EAUC! After a short time working with an agricultural community development in Kenya, a love of Africa is in now Iain’s blood. He is a trustee for FOAG (the Farmers’ Overseas Action Group), a Uganda focussed development charity making regular trips to the countries rural communities. Despite all of this, Iain (with a little help from his wife!) also runs a small organic farm at his home in Worcestershire with lots rare breed pigs, lamb, cattle and children!
Fiona Goodwin Head of Member Services Fiona joined the team in November 2005 as Events & Communications Officer and is now responsible for managing our Member Services. She is responsible for our business systems, managing our finances and office and our legal requirements. Fiona is responsible for monitoring, measuring and reporting on organisational performance. Fiona is also responsible strategically for all Member Services such as our newsletters, events and Annual Conference. Prior to joining EAUC, Fiona has gained experience working in a variety of charities, both regional and national, as well as working at a university. Fiona works part-time - Mondays - Thursdays.
Iain Boyd Corporate Relationship Manager Iain joined the team in June 2011 as the EAUC’s Corporate Relationship Manager. He is responsible for account managing our company relationships, and for developing new long-term partnerships between the EAUC and companies to help sustainable businesses grow alongside sustainable education. Iain has worked in the fundraising charity sector for many years and before that in the corporate sector. His background is in marketing and business development and he has worked overseas in both Canada and the USA. Iain will be working closely with Lisa, our Membership Services Manager, and Fiona, the EAUC's Head of Member Services, to deepen Company Membership relationships and develop long-term, mutually beneficial services. Iain is keen on sport, especially basketball, enjoying spending time with his two daughters and working on his allotment - with the whole EAUC team looking forward to sampling his home grown produce!
Lisa Walkley Membership Services Manager Lisa joined the EAUC as the new Membership Services Manager in May 2011. Dedicated to member engagement, Lisa’s previous role with the Chelsea Building Society ensured that members were at the heart of the organisation. She brings this experience to the EAUC where we strive to have a continual dialogue with members, share expertise and disseminate key sector insight. Lisa will be heading up the Membership Services team, working closely with the Membership Services Officer and News Editor on all our communications and member engagement. Keen on keeping fit, Lisa enjoys going to the gym and taking body combat classes. So, we look forward to her kicking us all into shape!
Sama Alyasiri Membership Services Officer Sama joined the EAUC in July 2011 as our Membership Services Officer. Having recently completed her MSc in Sustainability, Planning and Environmental Policy, environmental sustainability is high on her agenda. Sama is on a 12 month contract through the CUSP scheme (http://www.eauc.org.uk/cusp) and is responsible for our CPD training and events, Members’ newsletters as well as communicating the value of membership to our Members effectively and creatively. Prior to the EAUC, she worked promoting sustainable transport through behaviour change for Challenge for Change. As an avid cyclist, Sama is happy discovering new places on two wheels and doing yoga (although not at the same time!).
Abigail Weaver News Editor Abbie joined the EAUC in July 2008 as the EAUC’s Professional Development Officer. Since then her job has evolved with the demands of the organisation and its Membership and is now responsible for the EAUC’s news channels such as the website and enews. Originally from Mid Wales, Abbie’s background is in public affairs and public relations. Her career has followed an environmental path working with the Liberal Democrats and Environment Agency Wales before joining the EAUC. Abbie works two days a week (Monday and Wednesday), when she isn’t being run off her feet by her (extremely) lively little girl!
Kate Graham Central Administration Officer Kate joined the team in May 2010 as our Central Administration Officer and is responsible for reception duties, office management, membership administration and event administration. After graduating in Psychology, Kate taught as a primary school teacher for several years before moving into IT and then into administration. Prior to joining the EAUC, Kate has gained wide experience working in a variety of administrative posts in both further and higher education and in the defence industry, working closely with the MOD.
Kate Aubury Finance Officer Kate joined the team in June 2010, working as our Finance Officer. Kate has worked in a financial role for many years, including working in the financial, computing and veterinary sectors. An enthusiastic naturalist and conservationist, Kate also volunteers with local conservation charity Kemerton Conservation Trust in her spare time. Kate manages the day to day financial issues at EAUC and supports the team in providing their reporting requirements. Kate works part time.
Gill Ainge Sustainability Exchange Project Manager Gill joined the EAUC in June 2011 as the Sustainability Exchange Project Manager, helping to bring together and deliver this exciting new initiative on behalf of the EAUC, working closely with all the different partner organisations involved in the Sustainability Exchange. Gill's background is in project delivery, marketing and business development, with a long history of working on rural, agricultural and regional food sector projects. Gill works two days a week on the Exchange, with the remaining days focussed on her own consultancy business, two small children and the family livestock farm, which is located on the Somerset Levels. For fun, Gill is slowly developing a new garden at the farm, enjoys walking her two dogs across the Quantocks and Exmoor, and is an active member of Devon and Somerset Lady Guns.
Scotland Office - Edinburgh
Sarah Lee Scotland Manager Sarah joined the Scotland team in January 2009. Sarah is responsible for managing the Universities and Colleges Climate Commitment for Scotland (UCCCfS) Programme. This entails signatory recruitment and monitoring, organising events, training and producing guidance. She is also currently running a Behaviour Change Management Programme pilot in Scotland. Sarah studied at the Royal Melbourne institute of Technology in Australia before finishing her BSc with the Open University. She previously worked at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and worked on climate change, water and waste issues.
Alexandra Henderson Scotland Project Officer Alex joined the team in June 2011 as the Environmental Events Intern and since January 2012 has taken the role of Scotland Project Officer. In her role she is responsible for assisting the UCCCfS Programme Manager in delivering the planned events for Scotland. This includes organising the Continuing Professional Development events and Topic Support Networks. During her time studying at both Newcastle University and The University of Edinburgh, where she graduated with an MSc in Environmental Sustainability in 2010, she took the lead on a number of campaigns and events to promote sustainable behaviour across campus and tried to bridge gaps to the wider community. With her love for the natural environment and the outdoors, in her spare time you may find her volunteering along the banks of the Water of Leith or in her own wild garden by the sea.