Kate Simons

@Canal & River Trust

GB

Leading the strategic implementation of the Trust’s Volunteer Strategy, driving sustainable growth and ensuring volunteering plays a vital role in delivering our charitable objectives. This national leadership role influences and supports teams across the Trust, equipping them with the guidance, resources, and programmes needed to recruit, manage, and engage a growing and increasingly diverse volunteer community. I drive performance towards Regional and National volunteering recruitment and engagement targets, shape the future direction of volunteering within the Trust, and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to benchmark best practices, celebrate successes, and embed volunteering as a core part of our operations.My responsibilities include overseeing volunteer engagement at a national level, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, and championing an inclusive and rewarding volunteer experience. I directly manage a team of Volunteer Development Coordinators who support Regional and National teams, enabling growth while aligning various directorate strategies. I am a subject matter expert in operational safety, volunteer recognition and youth volunteering. I am adept with use of various customer/volunteer relationship management systems and have played a leading role in the implementation of a new system in 2024, rolled out to volunteers. A key aspect of this role is external representation, positioning the Trust as a leader in volunteering and furthering our cause as the charity protecting precious habitats and heritage over the miles of canals and rivers in our care.