Recently, NHSN was pleased to welcome Anna Ward to the team as our new Finance and Office Manager, and Ho-Yin Wong as our new Naturalist
Supporting NHSN members, volunteers, and supporters to enjoy and learn about the natural world is what it’s all about for the NHSN team. Whether we’re processing memberships, answering your enquiries, or organising events, we’re here to help you get the most out of your NHSN membership.
As we wish Hazel Makepeace, our long-term Admin and Finance Officer of 11 years, well on the Isle of Wight with her new grandchild, we’re pleased to welcome our new Finance and Office Manager, Anna Ward to the team.
Anna will work closely to support NHSN members, manage financial matters and ensure the smooth running of activities. Find out more about Anna in her own words below.
I was born and bred in Gosforth and have lived here my whole life apart from three years away at university in Manchester. Now, I’m married and mum to two teenage boys. I love to walk anywhere and everywhere around the North East. As well as an NHSN member, I am a member of the National Trust too and love to visit their properties across the North East and further afield.
Anna Ward, Finance and Office Manager
Fun facts? My family and I used to be enthusiastic geocachers and have found 775 all over the world. We haven’t been out hunting for them for a few years now but we still have five hidden around the Gosforth area for people to find.
On a lighter note, in 2007 I was on TV adverts all over the place on the “Calm down Dear” Esure adverts with Michael Winner. My friend even spotted me on adverts in Portugal!
I look forward to supporting members and volunteers in my new role with NHSN.
As Ellie Coleman leaves NHSN to start a new adventure in Canada, next week, we’ll also be welcoming Ho-Yin Wong, as our new Naturalist. Building on Ellie’s work on communications and engagement, Ho-Yin brings with him experience from working for an arts charity, delivering photography and film workshops, along with insight from conducting evaluation work. He is also a dab hand at social media and looks forward to sharing lots of exciting updates with NHSN members.
Outside of work, Ho-Yin is also a keen wildlife photographer and botanist, with a particular interest in our native Orchids. Recently, he was a contributing author to Orchids of North East England. Find out more about Ho-Yin below.
Born and raised in Newcastle, I was exposed to natural history through watching BBC’s Natural World series and documentaries narrated by David Attenborough.
Ho-Yin Wong, Naturalist
Having studied History for my undergrad and pursued a career in arts, with a focus on photography and film, I realised that natural history was my calling, leading to the decision to studying a Master’s in Conservation and Ecosystem Management at Newcastle University from 2021 – 2022. Since then, I have worked for BSG Ecology, as an Assistant Ecologist, utilising my skills from university, to help with Phase 1 Habitat Surveys and well as assisting in Preliminary Ecological Appraisals.
In my spare time, I like to pursue my interests in botany, bryology and entomology, sending in biological records to iRecord. While, using wildlife photography and nature journaling as a means to document my sightings to raise awareness of the wildlife around the region on various social platforms such as Twitter and Instagram.
I’m looking forward to meeting NHSN members while out and about exploring nature across the region.