Meet our trustees

Peter Waine, OBE – Chairman

Peter is a former national chair of CPRE and of the Tree Council and of the National Fruit Collection (at Brogdale). He was chair of the Welwyn Garden City Centenary Foundation, and of the Welwyn Garden Society. He has been on the boards of public and private companies in addition to being a former visiting professor at Warwick and Bayes Business Schools. He is a former member of the International Cricket Council and a trustee of the Royal Opera House and of the Gardens Trust. He was Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners.

Peter is author or co-author of two books on the countryside, two business books, a novel, a collection of poetry and a biography of A E Housman. He is chair of the Housman Society. Peter is a former judge for the Wainwright Literary Prize (for countryside writing) and for the Contrarian Prize. He writes on occasion for Country Life. Peter was awarded the OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to the Natural Environment.

Adam Hopwood – Vice Chairman

Originally from Yorkshire, Adam settled in Digswell in early 2018, where he now lives with his wife and two children. After graduating from Clare College, Cambridge with a degree in Natural Sciences and Management Studies, he has built a career in business transformation within the telecoms sector. Adam spends as much time as possible immersed in the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside, whether walking, cycling or enjoying nature with his family. He recently returned to Cambridge to complete a Master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership.

Steve Wiltshire – Treasurer

Steve has lived in St Albans for over thirty years with his wife and family. He established his own management consultancy after a long career in investment management, and also has public and private sector experience of applied environmental science. Steve has a doctorate in hydrology and degrees in river engineering and art history. He is a keen walker and cyclist and is passionate about protecting the Hertfordshire countryside.

Abby Coften – Trustee

Born and raised in the Hertfordshire countryside, Abby has lived in the county for almost all her life. A former Chief Executive of CPRE Hertfordshire, she brings more than 25 years’ experience in communications, campaigning and senior leadership across the charity and not-for-profit sectors.

A CIM-qualified communications professional, Abby has led communications for local charities including Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline and the Black Prince Trust. In 2015, she helped launch Go Vol Herts (formerly TeamHerts Volunteering), Hertfordshire’s first dedicated volunteering platform. She has also led strategic marketing and communications for national charities, including the Army Cadet Charitable Trust and World Book Day. Abby is also a Trustee of Heads-Up Kids, a Hertfordshire charity promoting positive mental health among children through education in schools. A passionate nature enthusiast and keen walker, Abby is committed to protecting Hertfordshire’s countryside and green spaces so that future generations can enjoy the health, wellbeing and environmental benefits of these precious places.

Paul Harding – Trustee

Paul was born in Knebworth and has lived in Hertfordshire all his life. He studied estate Management at Oxford Brookes University before qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor. As a Partner/Director of an international firm of property advisors he has worked on major commercial investment portfolios and landmark buildings throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Now retired, he leads projects for his local church and is Planning lead on Wymondley Parish Council.

Having lived with his wife and three children in a rural environment but close to historic market towns, new towns and garden cities Paul has always appreciated the important balance and interaction of towns and countryside. He enjoys the countryside with his grandchildren as well as cycling and walking particularly the long distance paths most recently the Icknield Way.

He hopes to bring his knowledge and love of Hertfordshire’s rural character to support CPRE’s ethos to protect the delicate balance that Hertfordshire has between the built environment and the countryside which enhances the lives of all who live or work in the county.

David Richards – Trustee

Originally from mid-Wales, David lived in a variety of locations in south east England and western Europe, before settling in the Welwyn area with his wife Valerie. He is an engineer by background with roles in systems design and project management, then management consultancy, where he was a partner with Ernst and Young in London. Following this, he worked for 10 years with a variety of startups and inventors, including on green technologies for reducing carbon emissions. Now retired, he is increasingly interested in initiatives to maintain and promote access to the beautiful Hertfordshire landscapes and countryside, and to bring communities together.

Catherine Roberg – Trustee

Catherine brings 15 years of experience in data-driven marketing to her role as trustee for CPRE Hertfordshire. Her expertise spans loyalty programme design, retail media, CRM and personalisation. A graduate of Durham University with a degree in History, Catherine combines analytical skills with a deep appreciation for heritage and tradition. As a resident of Hertfordshire and an avid runner, she has a personal stake in preserving the county’s natural beauty and green spaces. Catherine’s professional background in understanding consumer behavior, coupled with her love for the local countryside, positions her well to contribute to CPRE Hertfordshire’s mission of protecting and enhancing the region’s rural landscapes.

Kruna Vukmirovic – Trustee

Kruna moved from London to North Hertfordshire in 2020, having previously lived in London where she moved from Croatia in the early nineties. She has over twenty years of experience in scientific publishing and in her current role she is responsible for developing academic journals covering cutting-edge research in engineering and technology. Kruna joined CPRE Hertfordshire as a volunteer content writer and she will continue contributing to the charity in this capacity. She is passionate about the local countryside and its preservation for the future generations and in her spare time she enjoys long walks in the Hertfordshire countryside and yoga.