Steve is deeply involved in connecting city residents to their local nature and environment.

As part of the founding team for the National Park City Foundation Steve organised events, recruited volunteers, groups and 100s of local politicians to support London to become the world’s first National Park City, resulting in a declaration by the Mayor of London in 2019. Now many cities around the world are following London’s lead.

Steve has held a number of executive positions at SMEs, and is co-founder of Greentalk, a London-based ecotech startup, connecting local councils and land managers with residents to activate people into caring for their local environment, while improving health and wellbeing through nature connection. Greentalk’s recent clients include Bupa’s eco-Disruptive Healthier Cities and Citizens programme and Hounslow Council.

Steve believes that everyone should have a chance to experience nature face to face, no matter their situation or location. Cultivate London brings such opportunities to everyone in Hounslow, Ealing and further afield.

David migrated to London from the Midlands countryside bringing with him an interest in the outdoors life. His background is in finance and financial services having founded a broking business in the City. David is now semi retired with time to re-invest in projects such as Cultivate, bringing both passion and financial experience to assist the development of the charity. He was attracted by the multiple benefits the charity brings to local spaces, communities and budding horticulturalists.

Nick has always lived in an urban environment but describes himself as a “nature boy”, so being asked to be a trustee of Cultivate London was a great privilege. Helping to promote green spaces in an urban environment; what could be better? Nick’s background is commercial, having been co-founder of teapigs. He loves working with the Cultivate team as they are so knowledgeable and passionate about horticulture. He describes being part of a social enterprise, helping young people to develop skills and encouraging the local community to get out and get their hands dirty, as the reward for being engaged with Cultivate London.

Karen Liebreich is a writer, gardener and creator of small acts of defiant beauty, an environmental activist who has piloted many celebrated horticultural projects in west London. She is founder director of Abundance London. She has also authored a wide variety of investigative and historical books, including Fallen Order, The Letter in the Bottle, The Family Kitchen Garden. She recently featured on BBC TV’s Gardeners World and was profiled in Gardens Illustrated Magazine.

Darren Moore is a technology and marketing expert with an earth sciences background. Darren was motivated to join Cultivate by the distress he felt from the biodiversity loss and the enormous pressure that green spaces in the city are under. He believes that the more people who experience being outdoors and in nature, the more people will join the cause to protect it. He also believes that a fairer more just society will benefit everybody and loves the opportunities that Cultivate can provide for people from diverse backgrounds. Darren is also the Chief Technologist of Slow Ways, the UK’s walking network. You can’t beat having a trustees’ meeting in the lovely calming Salopian Garden.

Annie moved from Beijing, China to UK almost 20 years ago and now lives in Ealing, West London. She is a chartered accountant and currently leading a sales ops team in the financial services sector. Annie has an extensive track record of optimising profits and turning around underperforming divisions, as the chair of the Finance Committee, she helps with charity’s financial reporting. Annie is an advocate of Women of Colour in Payments and believes the power of horticulture can support and enhance communities.

Sara was born in East London and has lived in West London since 1991. As a true townie, she firmly believes that you can have the best of both worlds by weaving nature and rural pursuits into a busy urban life. She is the founder of Hen Corner, works closely with Country Living Magazine, and has just written her debut book, Living the Good Life in the City. When not cuddling a chicken or tending her bees, you can find her in a lake enjoying some open water swimming.