WOS Council
Welsh Ornithological Society
The Society has no paid staff and is managed by its volunteer trustees, elected for terms of three years by members at the Annual General Meeting. The society’s Constitution, together with approved minutes of Council, Annual General Meetings and financial statements can be viewed below. Council meets at least three times each year.
Iolo Williams was elected President in 2009, succeeding David Saunders OBE. Iolo is a well known radio and tv presenter,
Anne Brenchley was elected as Chair of WOS in 2020, having served on Council previously.She began birdwatching in Kent
Mike was elected as a trustee at the AGM in 2020. He is a professional ecologist/ ornithologist and a chartered
Alison Noble was co-opted as a Trustee in 2018 and subsequently elected at the 2018 AGM. She was re-elected for a second five year term in 2023.
Gwenan is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn Wildlife (BGGW) charity. Over the past decade, she has served in several key leadership roles, including Vice-Chair and Chair, Since 2020 as Treasurer she is responsible for the charity’s financial strategic management, and also manages the Osprey Protection site.
Other Council Trustees
Rachel Taylor was co-opted to Council in November 2023 as Editor of Milvus, the main WOS journal. She is a senior research ecologist with BTO Cymru and an active wader, seabird and passerine ringer, and stained glass artist. .
Simon Boyes was co-opted onto Council in 2025. He has lived near Welshpool since 1980 and is the county bird recorder for Montgomeryshire.
Originally from Windsor, Josh has found his adopted home in Wales, living and working in New Quay, Ceredigion, since 2019.
Malcolm was formerly Chief Scientist and Deputy CEO of CCW, leading the team that designed the first agri-environment scheme for Wales, oversaw the implementation of the EU Habitats and Species Directive, and led the assessment of the impact of the Sea Empress oil spill and the monitoring of habitat and species recovery.
Siôn Emlyn Davies was co-opted to Council in 2025. He is a wildlife filmmaker, presenter and environmentalist from Ynys Môn. A graduate in Environmental Conservation from Bangor University, he combines scientific knowledge with creative storytelling to celebrate Wales’s landscapes and wildlife.
Co-Opted Members of Council
Anya was co-opted on to Council in 2025. She currently works for RSPB as a Conservation Officer for the North Wales Moors Priority Landscape. She has been with the RSPB since September 2022, previously focusing on Black Grouse conservation work across the North Wales uplands.
Non-trustee representatives
Neil Lambert attends WOS Council meetings on behalf of RSPB Cymru. Neil started his RSPB career on the Mawddach in the
Julian Hughes is editor of the Welsh Bird Report and has been a member of the editorial team for the new Birds of Wales
Gethin Jenkins-Jones was co-opted to Council in November 2023 upon being appointed as the Development and Engagement Coordinator for BTO Cymru.
Steve Stansfield grew up in industrial Yorkshire and has spent his whole adult life working at Bird Observatories,
Downloads
Minutes of Council Meetings
2026
- July 2026
- September 2026
- November 2026