Advisory Board
We have recruited some of the top campaigners, activists, scientists and water sports people to join our FOTT community.
Dr Sasha Woods is a scientist and strategic leader whose career spans biomedical research, environmental science, and organisational strategy. She holds a BSc in Natural Sciences from the University of Birmingham, an MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Biology from Imperial College London, and a PhD in Medicine from the University of Bristol. Her postdoctoral work at Harvard Medical School and University College London advanced understanding of Parkinson’s disease, retinal development, and retinal degeneration.
Motivated by the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises, Sasha transitioned into socio‑environmental science, serving as Director of Science and Policy at Earthwatch Europe (2024–2026). There, she championed citizen science as a tool to tackle freshwater pollution, led initiatives such as the Great UK WaterBlitz, and ensured scientific rigour and policy relevance across the organisation’s work.
Dr sasha woods
Chief of Staff and Strategy
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Sasha is now Chief of Staff and Strategy at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology,
partnering with the Executive Leadership Team and Board to shape organisational
strategy, strengthen governance, and enhance performance. She is passionate
about policy‑relevant science communication, strategic leadership, and translating
evidence into meaningful environmental impact.
Theo Thomas
London waterkeeper
Photo credit Finn beales
Theo Thomas, founder of London Waterkeeper and lifelong advocate for clean, healthy rivers, brings a powerful voice for justice and accountability to the Board of Friends of the Thames. With deep experience in campaigning, policy, and community action, Theo is proud to continue championing the rights of the river and the people who depend on it.
Theo Thomas launched London Waterkeeper in 2014 to be an independent voice for water. The organisation uses environmental laws and grassroots advocacy to drive change.
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The charity is a member of Waterkeeper Alliance – a federation founded in the US in 1999 to connect the emerging network of Waterkeeper groups worldwide.
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He grew up in rural Wales, and after university spent five years at BBC Radio Leicester. He made the move to London twenty four years ago to take a position at Keep Britain Tidy, before transferring to Thames21, where he spent 12 years as a Senior Programme Manager.
Rachel was the sustainability lead at British Rowing and developed the strategy which has a keen focus on thriving waters. The strategy won a leadership award from the British Association of Sustainability in Sport and a UK Coaching Green award.
Through forming partnerships with River Action, The Rivers Trust and Delphis, the rowing community has become increasingly engaged in helping clean up their waters, which is pillar number 1 of the strategy. With much rowing taking place on the River Thames, this is critical to helping our beautiful river recover and flourish.
Prior to this work, Rachel was event director on the World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint finals and led this to achieve an internationally recognised ISO20121 certification for events and sustainability.
Rachel Dulai
Creative and Innovative Sustainability and Event Consultant
Rachel herself loves being in, on or besides rivers - and seas - and still has her boat housed in Putney and she occasionally goes for a dip in the chalk streams near where she lives
James wallace
CEO - River Action UK
James Wallace, CEO of River Action UK and co-founder of the Beaver Trust, is a passionate force for river restoration and wildlife protection. As a Board member of Friends of the Thames, James brings bold leadership and deep ecological insight to the fight for thriving rivers, healthy habitats, and a future where nature and people can flourish together.
James is Chief Executive of River Action. He is a naturalist, archaeologist and social entrepreneur and has established enterprises ranging from renewable energy, regenerative agriculture and green finance to ecotourism, nature restoration and deep sea exploration. Prior to helping Charles Watson develop River Action into a national charity, James was CEO and Co-founder of Beaver Trust where he led the coalition to protect and live alongside native beavers.
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James campaigns to rescue Britain’s rivers using systemic, local solutions, working collaboratively in the freshwater emergency. He convenes national stakeholders, bringing together government, industry, NGO and community leaders to secure abundant, clean water and restore wildlife habitats, while holding polluters and regulators to account in the courts of public opinion and law.