The Cheshire
Sandstone Ridge

The Sandstone Ridge Trust is run by a Board of up to 10 Trustees; all of whom are volunteers. The team is responsible for the overall management of the Trust, its strategic direction and finances.

Current Trustees:

• Nicholas Holmes (Chair)

After gaining an MSc and PhD in palaeontological research, Nick spent an initial 3 years in Aberdeen as a geological consultant, before moving to Cheshire and living in close proximity to the Ridge. Based in Chester, Nick then set up his own consultancy in 1995 (in Northwich), to provide a range of geological services; growing the business to one of the largest of its type in the UK. He was responsible for marketing, developing and managing often very large, international projects, as well as providing technical lead and interpretation. Latterly, Nick was an Associate Lecturer at Birmingham University, teaching environmental interpretation of fossil groups on an MSc Course. Following recent retirement, he has been involved in various Sandstone Ridge Trust projects as well as volunteering for Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Nick's background, together with a strong interest in the forces that shape the landscape of the Ridge, make Nick a welcome addition to the team of Trustees. Nick is very keen to develop our appreciation of and public accessibility to local geological heritage.

• Peter Winn

Peter is a retired Senior Lecturer in the Performing Arts from the University of Chester. He has studied and taught in Britain, Canada and the USA and has a PhD in Theatre History. When Peter retired in 2009, he decided to take up a continuing interest in Archaeology and was awarded an MA in that subject at the University of Manchester in 2012. He participated as a volunteer and enthusiastic "digger" at the Poulton Research Project and on the Habitats and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Scheme where he took a particular interest in the Iron Age hill-forts of the Ridge, writing his Masters Dissertation on that subject. He joined the Sandstone Ridge Trust in order to represent the interests of those volunteers who hoped to participate in further practical projects along the Ridge, exploring our heritage and interpreting the sites for future generations. He has facilitated workshops for the Trust in Archaeological Field-walking and in the identification of Ancient Trees, and more recently helped to manage the HLF-funded Ridge: Rocks and Springs Project which engaged up to forty volunteers in a three-year survey of the quarries, wells and rock-carvings on the Ridge. Peter is currently leading the Trust's Beneath the Ridge Project. Peter is a keen walker of all the trails on the Ridge and lives in Cuddington.

• Stewart Pain (Vice Chair)

Stewart has been one of our Trustees since 2015. He is a Mechanical Engineer, having had a career in project and business management, including significant experience of managing change and in developing applications and justifications for proposed new developments. Stewart has subsequently built on these skills in a wide range of volunteering roles. These, amongst other things, have developed his fundraising skills, and have helped organisations develop a more strategic approach to their work, which is also relevant to his work with the Sandstone Ridge Trust. Stewart is currently the Vice Chair of our Team.

• Derek Bell

Derek is a teacher, researcher, advisor and advocate for improving and enriching education for all; particularly through the living landscape. He has worked in schools and universities as well as holding senior positions in national organisations. Derek remains active in education, nationally and internationally and has a wide range of publications. He has served as Trustee for several organisations. Becoming a Trustee in 2017 and living near the southern edge of the Ridge, Derek has enjoyed our remarkable landscape for the best part of 40 years; particularly through his interests in ecology, environmental studies and primary science. Derek currently takes the lead in developing our partnerships.

• 3 New Trustees were appointed at the AGM which was held on 19 November 2025

• Paul Chrisp

Paul has lived in and enjoyed the landscape of the Sandstone Ridge for many years as a keen runner, walker and cyclist. He trained as a pharmacist and then spent his career in medical publishing, communications and guideline development with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), where he was a member of the Executive team and Board, retiring in March 2024. Paul is an advocate of using the best evidence, working with partners and getting user experience to inform strategy and guidance, and is passionate about the benefits of an active lifestyle for physical and mental health.

• Louise Paul

Louise lives on the Sandstone Ridge and is keen to protect the precious resource of the Ridge for people to experience and enjoy. She would like to increase access for all, including improving information, education, public transport and accessibility. Louise retired from the Environment Agency in 2023 after a career as an environmental chemist in both consultancy and regulation. Her PhD in geochemistry led to work on environmental pollution control, contaminated land remediation and 10 years in the science department at the Environment Agency on nuclear regulation. Her experience of working with both commercial and government partners will benefit her trustee role. Louise hopes the Trust can contribute towards nature conservation efforts via habitat protection and restoration on the Sandstone Ridge, plant and animal conservation, and public education and research.

• Sandra Pinnington

Sandra lives on the Sandstone Ridge and brings a deep commitment to place, people and long-term stewardship of the landscape. She is the founder and CEO of Executive Insights, a leadership consultancy working with organisations across the UK to support sustainable performance, system leadership and future-focused decision-making. With a background spanning organisational development, executive coaching and strategy, Sandra brings experience of governance, stakeholder engagement and translating values into practical action. She is particularly interested in how the Ridge can be protected and enjoyed in ways that balance conservation, community connection and future generations’ needs. Sandra values the Sandstone Ridge as both a personal sanctuary and a shared public asset, and looks forward to contributing strategic thinking, curiosity and a strong commitment to collaboration in her trustee role.

Finance support:

• Ian Betteley who is Finance Director at the Land Trust, kindly provides support regarding the finances of our organisation.

Our Patron:

• David Briggs CVO MBE KStJ is Patron of the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge Trust. Retired Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, David is passionately involved with a number of charitable organisations. We very much look forward to working with David in the coming months as he supports the Trust in its long term strategic plan.