Jonathan Elliot
Jonathan Elliott, founder of Talk Action, has been organising national events and training for the past 14 years. Jonathan has worked on numerous community projects ranging from developing climate change outreach programs for Defra to organising entire green workshop areas and solar cinemas. Jonathan has also spent time at War on Want campaign office and worked securing funding for an AIDS/HIV charity in Northern Thailand.
Chetna Vaghela
Chetna started at Talk Action as a graduate with a scientific background. She has recently finished her time as a marine biologist, where she volunteered at a marine station on an island off the Irish coast. Her passion has also seen her spend time with the RSPB and Wildlife Trust. Chetna has joined the team as a Training and Events Co-ordinator.
Lizi Greenhill
Lizi joins the team as an intern having completed her Geography degree at the University of Southampton last summer. As well as being a keen Geographer she is interested in promoting sustainability of both communities and the environment. In her spare time she plays Netball for a local team and often daydreams about living in and exploring Canada one day in the future.
Trustees & Directors
Owen Espley
Owen Espley has been involved with Talk Action since the beginning of 2007. He is an experienced campaigner, with over a decade's experience of working on a wide range of issues including sustainable business and international development. He has been a professional campaigner for organisations in Amsterdam, Brussels and London on national, EU and international issues. He has particular expertise in bringing together diverse alliances and coalitions and achieving change through working together.
He currently works as a mentor to civil society organisations and networks in the Congo Basin for Well Grounded, where he mentors, trains and supports organisations in their campaigning, organisational strategy and development.
'Mitch' Matthews Dublin
Mitch currently works for the London Borough of Westminster as a senior manager in their environmental services department. He is a trained climate change speaker and an occasional speaker at the Royal Institute.
Simon Young
Simon studied Sustainable Architecture at the Centre for Alternative Technology and has recently completed his own eco-build house and log cabin in sunny Leyton, London. Throughout his varied and exciting career he's been a psychology teacher, diving instructor, motorcycle messenger and is currently working within the IT industry. He continues to struggle enthusiastically with the ukelele.
Trainers & Associates
Chris Church
Chris Church has worked in the voluntary sector and as a consultant for over 25 years. He is an experienced advisor on community and sustainable development issues, with a wide range of experience at national, international and community level. He is an associate of the Community Development Foundation and a member of the London Sustainable Development Commission. Chris is chair of the UK Local Carbon Communities Network.
Matthew Davis
As Founding Director of 3C Consult Create Communicate, Matthew has worked with, among others, Save the Children, Comic Relief, BBC Media Action, the Marine Conservation Society, EDF Energy and Friends of the Earth. Before setting up 3C Matthew worked at WWF for eight years, as Climate Change and Marine Campaigns Director, Communications Director for WWF's global species programme and Head of Press & Campaigns.
Anna Hirschfeld
With a wealth of experience in the property sector, Anna manages the Ethical Property Foundation's Property Advice Service in London. Anna provides property advice and support to charities, community groups and social enterprises including advice on environmental sustainability. Anna has delivered well-received training events focusing around many core property issues.
Sandra Hayes
Sandra is an experienced trainer and project manager who has worked in the renewable energy sector for over 10 years. Employed by the National Energy Foundation (NEF), Sandra has developed and delivered a large number of training courses related to renewable energy. Sandra also has extensive experience of attending public events and communicating on the subject of renewable energy with the general public.
Shilpa Shah (Co-Founder of the Akashi Project)
Akashi, which means 'to the sky', is a grassroots campaign that aims to empower Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and faith groups to act on climate change and climate justice. Akashi aims to achieve more legitimacy for the environmental movement and a louder voice for people beyond 'the usual suspects'.
Perry Walker
Perry is a fellow at NEF (New Economics Foundation) and developed the Crowd Wise method of consensus while Head of Democracy and Participation at NEF. He has used Crowd Wise at organisations including Urban Forum, AFC Wimbledon, Transition Lewes and the Fair Trade Foundation. He is an experienced facilitator and trainer in helping groups reach decisions using consensus.
Matthew Herbert
Matthew has been using consensus in a variety of settings for the last 18 years, and facilitating consensus courses for the last 10. He's facilitated consensus decision-making meetings with groups of 5 to 500 and co-authored several guides to using consensus.
Matthew has worked with Scarman Trust, Campaign against the Arms Trade, Centre for Alternative Technology, Friends of the Earth, housing co-operatives such as Two Piers Co-op and Argyle Street Co-op, the Camp for Climate Action, Transition Towns initiatives, and the Woodcraft Folk.
Andrew Dodson
Andrew Dodson trained as an Organisational Psychologist and currently advises Talk Action on its program development. Andrew has worked as a performance consultant to the NHS as well as conducting a number of reviews of different health policies in the UK. Andrew has worked for Oxfam and the Red cross, and has also been involved in international projects in Pakistan, Uganda, Haiti, Cambodia and Bhutan. Andrew currently works for The Evaluation Lab, a program evaluation and program development consultancy.
