Advisory Board
We have recruited some of the top campaigners, activists, scientists and water sports people to join our FOTT community.
Rachel Dulai
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Special Projects Lead - British Rowing
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Rachel delights in pushing boundaries and creative thinking and is honoured to have been asked to be a member or warrior on the Board of the new Friends of the Thames.
Rachel started life in the music industry before moving into corporate events and then sporting events. Whilst doing this she always rowed on the River Thames and is a life member of Thames Rowing Club, joining in 1989. In her career she specialised in creating events from scratch, such as The Royal Parks Half Marathon and Power8 Sprints, then when she became event director for the World Rowing Coastal Championships & Beach Sprint Finals 2022 she decided to see if this event could become ISO20121 certified - and the journey into sustainability began.
Rachel was responsible for creating British Rowing's Environmental Sustainability Strategy that launched in March 2024 at the same time as announcing partnerships with The Rivers Trust and River Action to help with a key objective "To help our waters thrive".
It has been a whirlwind ever since - at the end of 2024 culminating in British Rowing winning the British Association of Sports' Leadership Award. In May 2024, British Rowing launched its Thriving Water's Scheme and through this, is now helping clubs up and down the country start testing their water. British Rowing was also a founding member of The Clean Water Sports Alliance, which is working towards our waterways and coastal waters being restored to their natural beauty and richness so that it is possible to enjoy our sports in a clean, safe and healthy environment.
Dr Sasha Woods is a highly skilled scientist with a diverse academic background. 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 research at prestigious institutions further solidified her expertise. She explored Parkinson's Disease at Harvard Medical School (2015-2016) and delved into retinal development and disease at University College London (2016-2019). Since 2016, Sasha has been a dedicated educator, serving as a Teaching Fellow for the Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health course and Applied Neuroscience program at King's College London.
Recognizing the urgent need to address climate change and biodiversity loss, Sasha transitioned her focus to socio-environmental science. She now leads the Science and Policy team at Earthwatch, where she ensures the organization's work is scientifically rigorous and solution-oriented.
Dr sasha woods
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Sasha Woods is Director of Science and Policy - Earthwatch
Sasha is passionate about evidence-based action and environmental stewardship, and is proud to bring her expertise to the Board of the new Friends of the Thames as a dedicated advocate and river warrior.
Theo Thomas
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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.
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.
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.
Steve O'Connor is an experienced leader in the cultural and charitable sectors, passionate about bringing people and places to life through storytelling, innovation, and community engagement. As Director of the River & Rowing Museum, Steve is dedicated to revitalising the museum experience, connecting visitors with the heritage of rivers, rowing, and the natural world.
Previously, Steve founded the award-winning Fulham Reach Boat Club, focusing on resilience, growth, and creating opportunities for young people through sport. He is also a passionate advocate for fearless leadership in the charity sector, helping organisations thrive with creativity and purpose.
Whether he's launching new initiatives, innovative sponsorship programs, or curating engaging digital content, Steve is committed to creating meaningful experiences that inspire and connect communities.
steve connor
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Director - River & Rowing Museum
Steve Connor, Director of the river and Rowing museum, brings a deep passion for the river as both a sporting and natural treasure. As a Board member of Friends of the Thames, he’s committed to championing clean, accessible waterways that support both healthy ecosystems and the communities who row, paddle, and play along the Thames.
James wallace
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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.
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.