Ambassadors help to raise awareness of a charity by attending events, spreading the word of the Trust and encouraging others to get involved in fundraising. Many charity ambassadors are leaders in industry, and always people who are passionate about the cause and message of the charity.
Our five charity ambassadors are all interesting, enthusiastic people, with a love for the countryside and all that goes with it. They are all keen to support the work the GWCT does, and we are so happy to be working with them, to continue raising awareness and attracting support to help drive positive change.
Hannah Russell
Hannah is a countryside author whose books capture the charm of rural life and her deep connection with animals. Hannah has written and illustrated a bestselling children’s book series featuring her animals, earning her the title of Author of the Year in both 2023 and 2024, by the Yorkshire Prestige Awards.
Growing up in Yorkshire, Hannah’s love for the outdoors was sparked by her first pony, Badger, and nurtured by a menagerie of animals. She began her writing journey at just 17 and has since built a beloved collection of books inspired by her home and the countryside. These animals continue to play a central role in her life and frequently appear on her social media.
Beyond writing, Hannah is the founder of Business Bloom Media and is the face of various countryside brands. When she’s not working, she can be found in the fields with her animals, training or working her dogs, or out fly fishing — always embracing the countryside life she loves. Hannah is thrilled to have the opportunity to join the GWCT. With a family immersed in a vibrant farming community in the Yorkshire Dales, Hannah finds it very rewarding to expand her knowledge and share information with others about game and wildlife management.
Jordan Rigby
Jordan is delighted and deeply honored to join the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust as an ambassador. This role is particularly meaningful, as it perfectly aligns with Jordan’s profound passion for preserving the natural world and the extraordinary wildlife that inhabits it.
Fieldsports, particularly shooting, have long been an integral part of Jordan’s life, and he has witnessed first-hand how they can play a significant role in wildlife conservation. Jordan firmly believes that humane and targeted predator control is essential for maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems and ensuring the health of natural environments.
Committed to continuous learning about conservation and ecosystems, Jordan strives to better understand and address the evolving challenges facing the natural world. By deepening knowledge and staying informed about the latest advancements in the field, Jordan aims to contribute more effectively to shared conservation goals. There is a strong sense of responsibility to ensure that future generations have the same opportunities to experience and learn from nature, just as Jordan was fortunate to do in childhood.
With great enthusiasm, Jordan continues the family’s legacy by supporting this noble cause. As an ambassador, Jordan is eager to raise awareness, inspire others, and work alongside a dedicated team to safeguard precious wildlife and landscapes for generations to come.
Jordan is driven by a deep love for nature, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a dedication to preserving the environment for future generations.
Tom Wood
We are thrilled to welcome former England rugby player Tom Wood as an mbassador for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. With a deep passion for the countryside and prior involvement with the Trust, Tom is a fantastic addition to the ambassador programme.
Beyond his rugby career, Tom is a professional tree surgeon and a skilled furniture maker, bringing craftsmanship and a love for the outdoors into his work. His enthusiasm for country life extends to archery, rifle shooting, fishing and welding. And, for those who know him well, he is also a devoted Terry’s Chocolate Orange enthusiast!
We are excited to collaborate with Tom and look forward to the impact he will make in supporting the Trust.
Marina Gibson
Marina is a certified FFI casting instructor, guide, and passionate conservationist. In 2019, she founded the Northern Fishing School at Swinton Estate in North Yorkshire, which now teaches over 400 people a year the art of fly fishing. Marina is also a co-founder of the Cancer and Pisces Trust charity, which aims to improve the lives of cancer sufferers through the therapeutic pastime of angling, fostering connections with nature and community.
Marina’s transition from city life to pursuing her passion has led her to travel the world with her fly rod, inspiring her global social media following of over 75,000 to enjoy the outdoors.
An ambassador for Orvis, she leverages her platform to advocate for salmon conservation, address environmental concerns, and promote the health benefits of fly fishing. As well as being an ambassador for the Atlantic Salmon Trust and YETI, Marina also serves as a trustee for River Action UK, an organisation committed to combating water pollution. In April 2024, her book Cast Catch Release was released, and at the start of 2024, Marina and her husband fulfilled a lifelong dream by taking over the lease of Bywell beat on the River Tyne. Marina has worked with our Fisheries team and we are very excited to have her on board.
Tristan Phipps
Born in South Africa and inspired by family holidays on walking safaris, Tristan’s burning passion for conservation, and his love of nature and the wilderness led him to peruse a career in southern Africa as a walking big game trails guide. He lived in the African bush for over six months training, before finally qualifying as a registered walking safari guide. He then spent the next four years living and working all over southern Africa, leading clients into the wilderness for up to five days at a time.
Tristan joined the TV show Made in Chelsea in 2018 with the hopes of building his profile. While on the show he has hosted his own photography exhibitions and spoken out about the importance of conservation. He has built up a strong online community of followers based on his passions for nature, travel, and health and fitness. He is now an ambassador and works closely with some of the world’s leading conservation charities, including TUSK and the Born Free Foundation, of which he is the ambassador for challenges.
Tristan believes that if more people had a connection with animals and the natural environment, the level of respect for wildlife would significantly rise. He thinks being out and about in the countryside is the best way to educate people, and that anyone can connect with nature and have a healthy respect and understanding for it. Tristan stands by the belief that the whole point of an ecosystem is to cohabit a place where nothing within it has a damaging effort on something else. He is excited to be an ambassador for the GWCT as there is a really strong overlap of values and core beliefs.