Mrs Olivia Nelson

Professional biography

I’ve worked in the conservation sector for over 20 years – mostly with the National Trust where I was a Senior External Affairs Officer before becoming a Project Manager with a focus on Runnymede.  I then returned to policy work working on advocacy at the Organic Research Centre before I began at the OU in 2019.   Recent success includes bringing in £1.8 million for the National Trust through the Heritage Lottery Fund and coordinating a sector wide response from the Organic Sector to Defra consultations on the future of farming.   I have a Diploma in Environmental Management and I am a qualified Project Manager.  I am now Advocacy Manager for the Floodplains Meadow Partnership -  hosted by the OU. My role is to help further the conservation, restoration and hydrological functioning of floodplain meadows, through effective advocacy, synthesising and communicating the best scientific evidence, principles and data to ensure success of policy decisions.  The role also includes public communication and project management such as an art competition in 2021 and art projects.