From a farming family, Jude Pilgrim followed a first qualification in agriculture at Writtle College with a post graduate diploma in Museum Studies, a Diploma in management studies, and an MA in Environment, Policy and Society.
Carole Reilly is the Director of Services Locality, the national membership network supporting local community organisations to be strong and successful.
In summer 2012 Philip Venning completed 28 years as full time chief executive of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), the nation's oldest building conservation body.
Joff Whitten is the manager of Gecko Theatre, an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company; starting in Ipswich but touring across the UK and the world.
Geoff Nickolds spent a long career with Severn Trent Water Limited, for the final 10 years as Conservation, Access and Recreation Manager responsible for recreation, heritage and biodiversity issues across the company's whole region and 50,000-acre estate. This included over 40 reservoir sites open to the public, together receiving over 4million visitors each year.