Working with nature to safeguard our coastal communities.
Information on this page has been provided by the Our Future Coast Project Team and was correct at the time of upload. The Flood Hub is not responsible for any information held on this page.
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Our Future Coast is a partnership of local councils, parish councils, the Environment Agency, organisations like Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Morecambe Bay Partnership, farmers, landowners, researchers and local people. Together they are working across multiple sites along the North West Coast of England to design and test new approaches to coastal flood risk management.
In the face of coastal erosion, flooding and climate change, Our Future Coast will use nature-based solutions for sustainable coastal management.
Coastal Communities are at the front-line of climate challenge. It is not possible to protect the whole coast with hard rock and concrete, there isn’t enough money, and it is not a good long-term solution. So, we need to get really good at working with nature – using saltmarsh and sand dunes as a coastal defence. The essence of the Our Future Coast approach is designing together with our communities putting them at the heart of Our Future Coast.
Our Future Coast is:
Our Future Coast is a partnership of local councils, parish councils, the Environment Agency, organisations like Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Morecambe Bay Partnership, farmers, landowners, researchers and local people.
Our Future Coast is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate. You can find out more about this programme by clicking here.
Dr Tom Burditt is Chair of the Our Future Coast Board, chairing the meetings and supporting behind the scenes. By day he is Chief Executive Officer of The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. A resident of Morecambe Bay, he is also a trustee of the Morecambe Bay Partnership, a local Scout Leader, brass band member and keen amateur musician.
Carl has over 30 years’ experience in the design, construction and operation of coastal defences working for consultants and the Environment Agency on the East Coast before returning home to the North West in his current role as Assistant Director Engineering at Wyre Council, where he is responsible for the delivery of coastal schemes, their ongoing operations and maintenance. Carl has delivered over £100 million of coastal projects on the Wyre coastal frontage and is currently engaged in delivering the £52 million Wyre Beach and Dune Management Scheme. He is also leading on the Flood & Coast Innovation project – Our Future Coast. Carl is also chair of the North West and North Wales Coastal Group and is a Royal Engineering Officer in the Army Reserve
Environment Agency (EA) Area Coastal Engineer for Cumbria and Lancashire. I lead on the delivery of the EA coastal overview responsibilities in the area. This involves leading on key coastal relationships in the area, both internally and externally, particularly with coastal Risk Management Authorities, steering and advising on various coastal capital programmes and initiatives, maintaining and developing our erosion risk data and advising on our Shoreline Management Plan. I also lead on relationships with the North Wales and North West Coastal Group.
Suzana Ilic, is a Senior Lecturer at Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University. She combines her expertise in coastal engineering with her interests in the marine environment, to develop solutions for challenges in coastal areas. Her main research interests are in coastal hydrodynamics and sediment interactions, coastal geomorphology and the impacts of climate change and human interventions on the future of coastal environments.
She is currently co-investigator of the research projects “4SeaFlood – Compound Flooding in Coastal Croatia under Present and Future Climate” in Croatia and Coastal Nature Lab and Coastal Natural Lab – an Open Handbook in the UK.
She works with local authorities and other organisations to deliver academic outputs as well as societal and commercial impacts. Suzana is also Coastal Advisor to the Environment Agency Northumbria Regional Flooding and Coast Committee. She is a member of the editorial board of the journal Ocean and Coastal Management.
Suzana has extensive expertise in field studies, remote sensing, laboratory and numerical modelling of coastal processes. She has guided a number of students to careers in coastal sciences, engineering and management. She is passionate about empowering coastal communities with an understanding of coastal change that enables them to take active roles in decision making about the future of coastal areas.
Shaun is an environmental scientist with >25years consultancy and regulatory experience. He has extensive international experience enabling 40+ infrastructure projects in Ireland, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Macau, China and St Helena. He is presently operating in a regulatory capacity at the Marine Management Organisation (MMO, UK Government) with responsibility for technical advice including defending Judicial Reviews, supporting policy officials and briefing ministers, and has led responses to marine incidents. Shaun has managed a diverse range of casework including in the renewable energy and nuclear sectors, interconnectors, sewerage infrastructure, ports and marine aggregates.
He has published >35 papers in Marine Pollution Bulletin, Environment International, Chemosphere, Environmental Pollution amongst others. He sits on the editorial board of The Habitats Regulations Assessment Journal and is a Board member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). Shaun is a Fellow of The Marine Biological Association, CIWEM, and the Royal Society of Biology.
Colin is a marine ecology consultant with 32 years’ experience. He specialises in coastal and estuarine habitat enhancement. He provides advice on habitat restoration projects throughout their life-cycle from strategic site selection to post-implementation monitoring. His extensive experience ranges from inspirational and pioneering land-scape scale adaptations, such as at Wallasea, Medmerry and Lower Otter, to smaller-scale initiatives
Communicating lessons from such projects is an important part of his career. He has been lead author of several books, papers and articles and presents regularly at conferences, workshops and training events to share findings. He also manages ABPmer’s free online database of habitat creation projects (at www.OMReg.net) and oversees a LinkedIn forum which disseminates lessons.
In addition, he is a member of national working groups seeking to advance the rate at which new habitat projects are delivered. These include the Intertidal habitat Potential Group (IHPG) and the Beneficial Use Working Group (BUWG).
Academically my background is in coastal geomorphology, with my PhD focussing on the Formby sand dune system. My particular interest lies in understanding how our coastal systems behave and will evolve in response to changing drivers and embedding this in the decisions we make about their future management. Prior to joining National Trust in 2022 I worked for many years in consultancy, specifically in the development of shoreline management plans, coastal strategies and management schemes.
My current role at National Trust involves providing advice and technical support to our property teams, who look after over 800 miles of incredibly diverse coastline across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We face many challenges along our frontages in the face of coastal change, but this can also present opportunities to think and respond differently, working with partners and communities, to benefit both people and nature.
I work for Natural England as Deputy Director across the North West, this is a role which I job-share with two fantastic colleagues. I manage the work we deliver across our wonderful coastline and in the marine environment. I oversee the interactions and close working we have with Our Future Coast (OFC) to provide advice on the natural environment to ensure that nature is protected. I sit on the Our Future Coast Board, which generates fantastic cross partner discussions about delivery of the project and outcomes that are focused on enhancing nature.
I have studied the salt marshes of Morecambe Bay since I started my MRes thesis on the pollutants captured within these marshes. I have been involved with OFC since the beginning, and have managed site level delivery at Hest Bank before moving into the Programme Manager role in early 2025. It is a very exciting programme, and I am looking forward to sharing all the valuable outputs and learnings it provides.
In this role, I ensure the effective sharing of the project learnings through social media, conference organisation, and both professional and educational dissemination. Translating complex project outcomes into accessible formats, engaging diverse audiences from industry professionals to the public.
Additionally, as a qualified QVC drone pilot, I support the project’s data collection and fieldwork efforts, bringing technical expertise to the team. My combined skills in communication and technology play a crucial role in maximising the visibility and impact of the Our Future Coast project.
Lover of maps. Geologist. Outdoor enthusiast. Former CEO of Morecambe Bay Partnership. Coastal Appointee to the NW Regional Flood and Coast Committee (RFCC). Champion for community engagement. Passionate about practical solutions for delivering coastal nature-based solutions, co-design and sustainable coastal flood risk management. Founding trustee of Curlew Recovery South Lakes.
I’m taking the lead on the delivery of the monitoring package and supporting other areas, especially adaptive pathways for delivery of the Shoreline Management Plan Policies. My background in coastal management and the past development of Shoreline Management Plans as well as research projects should help me to make a positive contribution to this project.
I’ve worked with coastal charity Morecambe Bay Partnership for 10 years, leading community engagement programmes, and previously spent 15 years in the heritage sector as a curator and manager in roles connected to the northwest coast. A Team Leader at MBP, I enthusiastically champion partnership working and creative methods to achieve effective community engagement. I manage two of the Our Future Coast delivery team, hosted by our charity, who are leading on engagement activities. I also supported the early development of the project, along with aspects of monitoring and evaluation.
With a background in geography and passionate about working with coastal communities, Joseph supports the team as an engagement officer for the Northern Our Future Coast sites.
I’m Nicola, an Engagement Officer for Our Future Coast. I lover all things geographical and in a previous life was a Geography Teacher. I am passionate about working with communities and helping them to understand and adapt to climate change.
Claire is the Archaeology and Heritage Officer at Morecambe Bay Partnership. She is working with local volunteers to discover historical information which will help us understand the long-term patterns of coastal change at our sites. Using records of past coastal changes, flood events, and human impact, the project seeks to understand how the North West coastline has formed and how it may change in the future. Claire has a background in community heritage with over 12 years’ experience in organising volunteer training and research projects. She has a passion for sharing the stories of past people and helping others to explore their heritage.
Katie serves as the North West Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) Coordinator, supporting the North West North Wales Coastal Group in delivering sustainable coastal management. She ensures shoreline policies align with environmental, economic, and social considerations.
Katie oversees the development, implementation, and monitoring of the SMP, strategically mitigating coastal erosion, flooding, and climate-related challenges. She collaborates with local authorities, governmental agencies, environmental organisations, and community stakeholders to balance development with environmental protection.
Focusing on evidence-based decision-making, Katie coordinates data-driven approaches to assess coastal risks and inform adaptive management strategies. Staying informed on research and regulations, she ensures the SMP remains robust and responsive. Through workshops and consultations, Katie empowers partners and wider stakeholders to actively engage in coastal resilience and sustainability. She is committed to fostering greater public awareness and participation in shoreline management initiatives.
Whilst my job title is Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Officer at Sefton MBC, it doesn’t fully explain my role as I also co-ordinate coastal monitoring for the North West Coastal Monitoring programme. We cover from the Welsh border in the Dee up to the Scottish border in the Solway and we use several different survey methods to record the topography of the beaches and sea bed.
For OFC, whilst I provide the survey data, which is freely available, I also help monitor several of the interventions with the mobile mapping (Lidar) backpack and other techniques.
I support Our Future Coast by working closely with local farmers and landowners in the Wyre catchment and covering the OFC scope to promote sustainable land management practices. My role involves providing guidance on nature-based solutions and alternative farming techniques to enhance biodiversity, improve soil and water management, and strengthen flood resilience. By collaborating with partners, experts and stakeholders, I aim to ensure that the agricultural practices contribute to the long term health of the rivers, waterbodies and coast. I am passionate about finding practical, sustainable solutions that benefit both farming livelihoods and the natural environment.
Paul has worked at Sefton Council for almost 25 years in ever evolving roles from a coastal officer working on EU Life projects to Green Sefton’s Development Manager that team includes Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management, parks and greenspace development and leading on the North West Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme.
Ian has recently joined Wyre Borough Council, bringing a wealth of experience working for development companies and consultancies. During the last 5 years he helped set up and manage ABP DevCo an entity created to find creative uses for and ABP’s extensive unutilised estate, while enhancing the company’s environmental credentials.
Ian has experience working across the full lifecycle of projects. He enjoys leading design teams to find environmentally sustainable solutions to challenging problems, maximizing both the ecological and monetary value of each asset. He is passionate about the environment and focused on promoting nature-based solutions
He has consistently delivered extremely complex projects, on time, within budget and to exacting standards. Ian has worked on numerous occasions with third party funders and stakeholders, from large pension and sovereign wealth funds as well as government departments, on each occasion managing relationships and the reporting process.
I work as the Estuary Restoration Officer for the Wyre Rivers Trust. My role focuses on improving the Wyre Estuary for the environment, wildlife and people alike. I joined the Our Future Coast (OFC) programme in April 2024 as the OFC Stanah project site lead. I have obtained degrees in marine biology. Previously I have worked in inshore fisheries management, species and habitat restoration and biodiversity monitoring in freshwater, marine and estuary environments across the North-East, London and internationally. I’m passionate about working to restore estuaries to enable wildlife to thrive, to create positive community development and to ensure the resilience of valuable coastal habitats into the future.
I have worked for the RSPB on the Ribble Estuary since 2010, first as the Warden and then as Site Manager since 2022. We have two nature reserves; Marshside in Southport and Hesketh Out Marsh near Hesketh Bank. Both reserves support internationally and nationally important populations of wintering and breeding birds.
I currently work for Cumberland Council as Flood and Coastal Defence Officer within the Flood and Development Management Team, covering the coast from Duddon Bridge, one end of the Millom Marshes Our Future Coast site, all the way up to the Scottish border. Before Local Government Reorganisation my role was within the Environmental Health Team at Copeland Borough Council with less than half the current distance of coast to cover.
Conservation Advisor with Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT), covering north Lancashire & have worked for LWT for nearly 30 years. Since 2008, I have developed the Fylde Sand Dunes Project alongside our key partner (Fylde Council) and since 2012, alongside the Environment Agency/Blackpool Council when Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) funding was secured and the current partnership established. I developed the Our Future Coast engagement work programme alongside Susannah and Michelle and I now line-manage the Engagement Officer South, act as the Site Lead for the Blackpool/Fylde Dunes and provide technical support where required. Occasionally masquerade as a jellyfish!