Board Of Trustees

Zimbabwe Board

John McTaggart, Managing Director

Chairman & Founder Trustee

John is an agricultural engineer who has been involved in the Zimbabwean mining industry since 1983. He started his own mining company in 1995 which helped fund his passion for conservation. He is currently involved in the development of renewable resources in Zimbabwe. He has been extensively involved in the conservation of Black Rhino through his flying experience. He is a founder trustee of the AWCF.

Kim Helen Manley

BA LLB (Cape)

Kim is a lawyer and consulting partner at Matizanadzo & Warhurst Legal Practitioners, Harare, and is currently involved in healthcare regulation in the United Kingdom. She has been a wildlife enthusiast all her life, from doing projects on CAMPFIRE and studying geography for ‘A’ levels, to studying environmental law as part of her degree including completing a thesis in bioprospecting and biopiracy. Kim is a member of Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe and participated in the 2019 Mana Pools game count. Kim joined the AWCF team as a trustee in 2019.

UK Board

Liz Gupta

Education Specialist | Chairman

Liz visited AWCF’s field base in Zimbabwe in early 2017 and experienced first-hand the excellent work they are carrying out.  As a result she was pleased to take on the role of Chairperson for AWCF (UK) in 2018. Liz has over ten years’ experience in education. Along with a Masters in Education Planning, Economics and International Development, she has extensive strategic and programme management experience in various roles, having managed VSO’s Education programme in Nigeria and Cecily’s Fund school support programmes in Zambia.

Amy Howard

MSc | Secretary

Amy joined AWCF (UK) as Secretary in 2018. She has a background in African wildlife conservation having volunteered and then worked for a lion conservation project in Kenya for 5 years. She also has experience in the field of education, working as a primary school teacher in the UK. Amy has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master of Science in Biological Photography and Imaging. She currently works for a satellite mapping company, which uses spatial data to provide information about the world to governments, NGOs, businesses and individuals.

John Groom

PhD, FREng | Treasurer

Retired in 2014 after a 43-year career in the international mining industry with Anglo American. This included 16 years in Zimbabwe which instilled a love of the bush, wildlife and a recognition of the critical need for sustainable development. Started Anglo American’s Safety and Sustainable Development function and was one of the founding team for the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM). Wide experience of industry and sustainable development challenges. Engaged with AWCF for 12 years, and formally as Treasurer of AWCF (UK) since 2018.

Rosemary Groom

Phd | Trustee

Rosemary is the CEO of AWCF and is resident in Zimbabwe where she oversees the field operations. Rosemary is a founder trustee of AWCF (UK) and has been running the Zimbabwean operation since 2008.  As well as her work with AWCF, Rosemary serves as the Southern African Coordinator for the Range Wide Conservation Program for Cheetah and African Wild Dogs.

Michael Dent

Fundraising Expert | Trustee

Michael joined WWF-UK at the start of 2019, heading up our income generation and supporter engagement work. He oversees all of WWF-UK’s core income generation functions including Individual Giving, Corporate Partnerships, Philanthropy, Events, Retail and Supporter Insight and database services and is responsible for raising £70m+ per year. He has worked in fundraising for over 20 years in a range of causes from local environmental causes like the Wildlife Trusts to national household names such as Macmillan Cancer Support and Alzheimer’s Society.

US Board

Currently under revision