Our Trustees

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) has an expert Board of Trustees who guide the Foundation in our endeavours to save endangered wildlife across Africa and Asia.

Rodney Birrell

Rodney Birrell was appointed as a Trustee on 8 November 2018. 

He is Chairman of Troubadour Theatres Limited, the Managing Director and President at Bristol Limited, Bermuda and also serves as the Co-Executive Director of The Wine Investment Fund Limited.  He practiced corporate law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions at Appleby Spurling & Kempe in Bermuda from 1988 to 1993 where he was involved in the relocation of DHL World Courier’s head office from Hong Kong to Bermuda as Counsel to DHL and was subsequently appointed Chairman of the DHL Board of Directors. 

Andrew Brown

Andrew Brown was appointed as a Trustee on 8 November 2018.

He spent 22 years with a major London law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills, advising companies on employment law. After many trips to Africa on safari and a longstanding desire to help save endangered species, in 2016 he made the move into the conservation sector, supporting a number of NGOs in their campaigns for tougher legislation on the ivory trade in the UK and internationally.

Christopher Cowdray

Christopher Cowdray was appointed as a Trustee in 2007.

Chris was appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Dorchester Collection in 2007, having been the General Manager of The Dorchester since 2004 and Managing Director of Claridge’s for the previous 6 years.

He started his hotel career in his native Zimbabwe and has extensive international experience in managing luxury hotels.

Fiona Luck

Fiona Luck was appointed as a Trustee in September 2014.

She is a Director of the Lloyds of London Franchise Board and has held various senior Executive positions within the global insurance and reinsurance business, most recently as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the CEO at XL Group, a NYSE listed company.

She is a Scottish chartered accountant.

Melanie Shepherd – Chairman

Melanie Shepherd (Chairman) is the daughter of the late David Shepherd and became a Trustee on 1 December 2012 and Chairman on 23 September 2014 following 24 years as Chief Executive of DSWF.

She continues her father’s legacy and brings her considerable conservation expertise and a clear insight into fundraising challenges faced by charities to the Board.

Zoë Woods

Zoë Woods was appointed as a Trustee on 3 April 2019.

She has spent the majority of her career working within the voluntary sector predominantly within fundraising and has worked for causes including overseas development, ex-services, children’s mobility and medical research.

Honorary Vice Presidents: Mark Carwardine, Saba Douglas-Hamilton, David Gower OBE, Simon King OBE, Gary Lineker OBE and Mandy Shepherd

Trading Company Directors: Mary Nugent, and Melanie Shepherd

Art Patron: Emily Lamb