We are delighted to announce two new appointments to the Useful Simple Trust’s Board of Trustees – Estelle Bailey and Jo Dobson.

These appointments come as two of our Founding Directors, Sophie Thomas OBE and Ed McCann, step down from the Board after nearly two decades of dedicated service. Their commitment to shaping and upholding the founding principles of the Trust has been fundamental to our journey. Alongside fellow Founders, Chris Wise and Sean Walsh, Ed and Sophie have been instrumental in defining our mission, values, and Ethos. We extend our deepest gratitude to them both for their vision, generosity, and leadership – and look forward to their continued involvement with the Trust in new ways.

Welcome Estelle Bailey MBE

Our new External Trustee, Estelle Bailey, is Chief Executive of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and a Trustee of the UK Green Building Council.

We have had the privilege of working with Estelle and her team at BBOWT on the 100 Miles Wilder proposal for the Ox-Cam corridor – a collaboration that underscored her ability to connect ecological thinking with practical placemaking and strategic vision.

Awarded an MBE in 2025 for Services to Nature’s Recovery, Estelle brings a wealth of experience in governance, spatial planning, and nature-based solutions. As one of the UK’s most impactful sustainability leaders in the edie 100 list, her leadership across the environmental and charitable sectors has focused on integrating ecology, health, finance, and community wellbeing to deliver resilient, nature-led places.

Judith Sykes, the Trust’s CEO, commented on this appointment:

“Estelle’s appointment marks a progressive and exciting step forward for the Trust, strengthening our regenerative ambitions – bringing the perspective of nature into our governance discussions.”

Welcome Jo Dobson

We are equally thrilled to announce that Jo Dobson, Director at Useful Projects, has been appointed as our new Internal Trustee.

With 16 years working at the Trust, Jo has long championed our Ethos, particularly the ‘people’ dimension, through her role as Chair of the People Group and a member of the Remuneration Committee. As an established sustainability leader, Jo brings deep expertise spanning social value, ESG, net zero carbon, and the circular economy.

At Useful Projects, Jo leads the business day-to-day, providing strategic advisory to organisations and built environment projects.

She is committed to industry-wide change and thought leadership, contributing to various panels, publishing guidance, and regularly speaking at events. Jo is also an External Trustee for Frosts Landscape Construction.

Reflecting on Jo’s new appointment, Judith commented:

“Jo has always championed our Ethos principle relating to developing the potential of our people. We are looking forward to bringing that perspective into governance as we bring greater focus on our learning culture.”

Looking Ahead

These appointments mark an important moment for the Useful Simple Trust, one that both honours our foundations and looks confidently toward the future. With Estelle and Jo joining the Board, we are better equipped than ever to deliver on our mission: to be a thoughtful, regenerative organisation that builds long-term public value through design, collaboration, and kindness.

We extend a warm welcome to Estelle and Jo, and once again, heartfelt thanks to Ed and Sophie for their enduring vision and contribution.