About us

Our team combines ecological understanding with hands-on experience, enabling us to support projects from early planning and design through to construction, monitoring and long-term management. We work closely with landowners, local authorities, consultants and conservation organisations, adapting our approach to each site and set of objectives.

Based in County Durham, we are committed to delivering safe, compliant and evidence-led projects that create lasting benefits for nature, communities and the wider environment.

Meet your team

Behind Nature Based Solutions is our experienced team, with a hands-on approach to restoring and managing natural environments.

Ben Lamb

CEO

I have a background in farming, horticulture, fisheries and mental health which has been quite a good combo for working with the Tees Rivers Trust. I joined the Trust in 2009 and am still discovering more about this brilliant river and the people that live and work around and in it every day. I am responsible for the running and future developments of the Trust and try and keeping things flowing smoothly, just like the river! I have overall strategic oversight of the Trust and involved in planning projects for the benefit of the Tees catchment. I am also a Director of the Trust’ trading arm, Nature Based Solutions Ltd and Chair the Tees Catchment Partnership.

Warren Bearpark

Senior Project Delivery Officer

I began my career with Tees Rivers Trust in January 2022 as a Project Officer, delivering a range of environmental initiatives including wet woodland management, invasive species control, and in-river habitat improvements.

In recent years, my role has progressed into project leadership, where I have overseen and supervised several large-scale river restoration projects across the Teesside area with Nature Based Solutions Ltd.

Throughout my career, I have developed a strong foundation in both practical delivery and site management, supported by professional training and qualifications. These include the NEBOSH National Certificate in Managing Safety, RCA MoRPh 5, and multiple site supervision certifications such as SSSTS, Temporary Works Supervisor, and CSCS.

James Keeling

Project Officer

I have worked on and off at Tees Rivers Trust since 2016. I returned in 2024 after a year living down south. I am involved in a range of activities at the trust from in-habit river management, electrofishing, tree work and many more. I love the variety of the job, there’s always something new!

Kate Carrick

Finance & Business Administration Manager

I had a successful career in the automotive industry for many years, working on projects for Land Rover, BMW and Ford to name a few. Having moved back to the North East and following the arrival of my daughter, I started working part time in the charitable sector and happily landed with the Trust in 2017. Since then, I have applied all my industrial and project management skills into keeping the Trust/NBS administration and finances in order.

Kate Baxter

Senior Project Delivery Officer

Having worked for many years in education and outreach, I completed my BSc in Environmental Science at Teesside University, and a subsequent Certificate in Ecological Consultation, before joining Tees Rivers Trust in 2022.

From 2023, I led the estuary team's seagrass restoration work and nursery cultivation trials. I have now stepped across to Nature Based Solutions Ltd where my work involves ecological surveying, environmental site assessment, habitat creation and restoration design, GIS mapping, and dealing with licencing and permitting. 

Richard Holmes

Project Manager: Agriculture and Fisheries

Prior to working at the trust, I have spent time working in fishing and agriculture for the Environment Agency for 10 years. On top of that, I have spent more than 20 years working along the Tees and it's tributaries giving farm advise and working as a fisheries officer. 

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