River Holme Connections appoints Rosslyn Colderley as its first ever CEO

River Holme Connections has achieved a significant milestone with the appointment of its first chief executive officer, Rosslyn Colderley.

The CEO appointment coincides with the charity’s upcoming 10th anniversary, marking a decade of community engagement and environmental conservation in the River Holme catchment.

Rosslyn brings over three decades of experience in the environmental and charitable sectors, having held leadership roles at Sustrans, the Wildlife Trust, the Canal and Rivers Trust, and the Conservation Volunteers.

In her most recent role as England Director North at Sustrans, Rosslyn led numerous high impact projects, securing substantial funding that enabled the growth of key environmental initiatives across the nation.

Inspired by paralympic athlete Karen Darke’s mantra: ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing to…?’, Rosslyn has always sought to challenge herself and her teams to aim high.

Her vision ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing to lead an environmental organisation’ has now been fulfilled with her appointment at River Holme Connections.

Rosslyn said: “The transformation of the River Holme catchment has been remarkable, and I look forward to using my experience to further the charity’s mission of connecting people to landscapes, their communities, and one another.

“I am excited to bring fresh insights and work alongside talented colleagues, supportive volunteers, and local stakeholders to make a lasting positive impact on this wild and beautiful place.”

Rosslyn will join the team in January and participate in a tree planting ceremony to celebrate the milestone of the 100,000^th tree being planted, symbolising River Holme Connections’ ongoing commitment to enhancing the local environment.

Founder and chair of trustees Lynva Russell said: “Rosslyn’s extensive experience in conservation, coupled with her infectious enthusiasm, makes her the ideal leader as we enter our second decade.

“I look forward to working alongside her to continue making the River Holme catchment a better place for people and wildlife.”

Rosslyn’s leadership is set to steer River Holme Connections towards new conservation achievements, further protecting and restoring the region’s natural landscapes.