7th October 2026
The Land Trust has appointed Anna da Silva, Claire Twaites and Jonathan Murrin as new trustees following a successful recruitment campaign over the summer.
The Land Trust is a charity dedicated to improving the social and economic quality of people’s lives by creating sustainable, high-quality green spaces. At the heart of the Trust’s trustee recruitment campaign was an ambition to attract the highest calibre of applicant with experience and expertise that will support an ambitious organisation with a growing portfolio of sites nationwide. From former collieries and landfills, to SANGs and residential developments, the Trust ensure green spaces thrive for people and nature – now and for future generations.
In appointing Anna da Silva, Claire Twaites and Jonathan Murrin the charity’s governance, compliance and fiduciary duties will be significantly strengthened by their contributions. The trustees; who each bring extensive experience of the commercial, property and social value sectors, join a growing organisation that has diversified its services and offering with an ambition to strengthen its financial position and reinforce its influence and voice in the built environment sector.
The Land Trust, through its charitable delivery, demonstrates the value and significant benefits of adopting long-term stewardship and management approaches for all green and blue assets. Today, the Land Trust is responsible for 90 sites across the country which over 2,600 hectares of land. In partnership with the Trust’s managing partners, operating across the portfolio of sites the charity has generated an impressive £87m in social value across the last 12 months.
As well as influencing operational delivery, the appointments will also promote continuity and succession within the Land Trust’s board.
Following a successful recruitment process:
Janet Dugdale, Chair of the Board of Trustees stated “The Land Trust has always succeeded in appointing the highest calibre of trustees and I am delighted to welcome our newest Board members. The vast cross sector experience that Anna da Silva, Claire Twaites and Jonathan Murrin bring will support our ambition to remain as the UK’s leading green space management charity and to continue delivering significant social, economic and environmental impacts nationwide.”
Alan Carter, CEO said: “We are delighted to welcome our three new trustees. For leadership team and I to have access to such a vast array of skills and expertise will only further strengthen our organisation and operational output. We are grateful to all our trustees for their commitment and contributions which positively influence our strategic thinking and business planning throughout the year. I am looking forward to working with and learning from the expertise that Anna, Claire and Jonathan will bring to the board in future. I know that as we look back in 10 years’ time, the communities around our sites will be able to see the benefit that these three new trustees have brought to our sites”
Biographies for the three appointments:
Anna da Silva is the Founder and current CEO of Northern Roots, a charity established to take 160 unloved acres in the heart of Oldham and develop it into the UK’s largest urban farm and eco-park. With a background in journalism, Anna has held several senior positions within the BBC covering both international and domestic affairs and leading the strategy to move to Salford. She has also worked for the Royal Horticultural Society, including setting up RHS Bridgewater, alongside holding a number of Non-Executive and Voluntary positions including with the National Trust and as an Associate Fellow at the University of Salford.
Claire Twaites is an experienced executive within the property, sustainable land management and commercial sectors. Claire is currently conducting an interim assignment as Executive Director of Estates and Campus Services at the University of Lancashire, prior to taking up a permanent position at the University of Manchester in the new year. She has also held senior leadership roles in the commercial sector including The Trentham Estate, Bruntwood, and with major Hospitality companies Mitchells & Butlers and The Sprit Group; as well as working as Estates Director at Camphill Village Trust. Across her career, Claire has been involved in more than £1 billion of capital development and the delivery of significant estate and organisational transformation. Serving as a Non-Executive Director to the People’s History Museum for almost 10 years, Claire also provided commercial expertise to its trading subsidiary to grow financial surpluses.
Jonathan Murrin is a Big 4 qualified Finance Director with over 20 years senior leadership experience in the property sector. Currently serving as the Chief Finance Officer at the Duchy of Lancaster, Jonathan has also held influential positions at Lendlease Europe, TT Group and Taylor Wimpey PLC.