Dr Keith Hendry is a retired aquatic scientist with many years’ experience in water quality and fisheries management in rivers, estuaries, lakes, reservoirs and canals, gained from numerous projects throughout the UK and beyond. For 32 years he was managing director of science based aquatic consultancy, APEM, the firm he began in 1987. APEM is now an internationally renowned global consultancy employing over 600 people.

For over 35 years Keith has been heavily involved in the successful clean-up of the Manchester Ship Canal and Salford Quays, with various innovative projects to improve water quality and aquatic ecology, which continue to this day. His involvement continues as Chair of the Mersey Rivers Trust, having had a longstanding involvement with the Charity and its predecessor since 1987. In addition he is also Chair of the multi-agency Manchester Ship Canal Forum.

Throughout his career Keith has been heavily involved with several water related organisations being a long term supporter and Chair of the North West branch of the Institute of Fisheries Management and a member of the organisation’s national executive and council. Formally he held the position of honorary biologist and scientific advisor to the National Federation of Anglers, advising on issues ranging from national policy to pollution. Keith was also a scientific advisor to the Mersey Basin Campaign and subsequently the successor organisation, the Mersey Rivers Trust.

In addition Keith was a member of the government’s Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries legislative review committee, which contributed to the landmark 2009 Marine Act, 2014 Water Act and the 2021 Environment Act. Keith has also sat on various Environment Agency advisory committees.

Professor Peter Batey is a graduate in geography (BSc, University of Sheffield), and holds a Master’s degree in Planning (MCD) and a doctorate in regional science (PhD), both from the University of Liverpool. A Fellow of the Royal Town Planning Institute (FRTPI), Peter worked initially as a planner for Lancashire County Council and for Greater Manchester Council before joining the Department of Civic Design at the University of Liverpool as a Lecturer in 1975. He was subsequently promoted to the Lever Chair in Planning at Liverpool in 1989 and later served as Dean of the Faculty of Social and Environmental Studies. He served as Editor of the Town Planning Review, a leading international academic journal, for more than 25 years.

A former Fulbright Scholar at the University of Illinois, Peter has an international reputation for his work in urban and regional analysis, particularly in the fields of demographic-economic modelling and geodemographics. In 1997-98 he served as World President of the Regional Science Association International and in 2000 he was elected a Fellow of the UK Academy of Social Sciences.

Throughout his professional career Peter has played an active role in urban and regional affairs, most notably in connection with the Mersey Basin Campaign. In the 1990s, he led a team at the University of Liverpool in the preparation of a management plan for the Mersey Estuary, He went on to develop a common approach to river valley initiatives, enabling mini-campaigns organised along similar lines to be implemented at a local level. In 2004 he was chosen by John Prescott, at the time Deputy Prime Minister, to serve as independent Chair of the Campaign. He led the Campaign in its final six years, at which point it had met its original objectives following the 25-year lifespan envisaged by the Campaign’s initiator, Michael Heseltine. In drawing the Campaign to a close in 2010 Peter retained one small component, the Healthy Waterways Trust, correctly anticipating that there might be a need for a similar organisation in future. The Mersey Rivers Trust, created in 2017, builds on the partnership approach pioneered so effectively by the Campaign. Peter maintains his involvement with the Mersey Basin as a trustee. He retired from his Chair at Liverpool in 2015 and now holds the title of Emeritus Professor.

Clive Gaskell is retired from his former existence as Regional Water Manager for the Environment Agency after 39 years service in pollution control from the days of the Mersey and Weaver River Authority. Until retirement, he was a member of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management, has an Honours Degree in Zoology and a Diploma in Management Studies. Apart from that he likes fishing and travelling. He is one of the founding Trustees of the Mersey Rivers Trust.

Chris Findley is a retired town planner. For 20 years up to the year 2020 he led the City of Salford’s Planning service. He also chaired the Greater Manchester Planning Officers Group for many years. During his 26 years at Salford he was closely involved with the development of Salford Quays and the regeneration of the wider city, and Salford’s contribution to the Mersey Basin Campaign. He was a founding trustee of the Healthy Waterways Trust, the precursor to the Mersey Rivers Trust.

Now retired from paid employment he is a board member the North West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, and for the last few years has helped judge the RTPI NW Planning Awards. 

MRT Trustee

MRT Trustee

MRT Trustee

MRT Trustee

MRT Trustee

MRT Trustee