Who we are : GeoMôn’s trustees

GeoMôn is a charity run by a Board of Trustees, a group of local people, geologists, business people, university staff and community leaders. 12 trustees each have specialist roles and responsibilities, based on their experience and expertise. The Trustees meet on a regular basis (usually once per month) to review activities and make forward plans.

GeoMôn’s trustees work to :

• increase community engagement: provide open access for membership to explore all aspects of geoscience in the local area and to increase Geopark activities that are available for members and visitors.
• improve visibility of the Geopark to encourage community support for the geopark.
• enhance commercial opportunities of the Visitor Centre and e-commerce platform by developing new business opportunities.
• ensure that the trust and its associated activities are run to the highest quality standards in the safest manner possible.
• deliver financial stability through investment in the Geopark and also to establish sponsorship, increased membership and revenue streams.
• increase communication with members and the local community through various conventional and digital tools, and to market the commercial aspects of the Geopark to ensure higher utilisation from the local community.

GeoMôn’s trustees [and their portfolios] :

Patron : The Marquess of Anglesey

• Professor Colin Jago, geoscientist, [chair].
• Dr Margaret Wood, geoscientist [founder]
• Gavin Rowlands, geoscientist [membership secretary].
• Dr John Conway, geoscientist, [book author, accessibility, web manager].
• Professor Cynthia Burek, geoscientist, [education & gender issues].
• Martin Schwaller [Watch House manager & volunteer coordinator].
• Caroline Schwaller MBE [governance and finance advice]
• Dr Rob Crossley, geoscientist [managing director, events coordinator]
• Dr Dewi Huws, geophysicist [Welsh speaker]
• Maia Whomsley-Walker geoscientist [social media, (Welsh speaker]

Professor Colin Jago, chair.

Chair of GeoMôn’s trustees, I graduated in Petroleum Geology at Imperial College with a view to a career in the oil industry but as the department was pioneering studies on modern sediments I stayed for my PhD on modern coastal sediments. The rationale was that modern sediments help interpretation of ancient sedimentary rocks which are the reservoir rocks for hydrocarbons.  But I discovered that working on beaches was a lot more fun than working in oilfield camps, so I jettisoned oil industry ambitions and opted for an academic research career.  

Funded by Royal Society research fellowships at Galway and Perpignan universities, I extended seawards to work on continental shelf sediments. At Leeds and Southampton Universities I worked with marine biologists and oceanographers in research that was increasingly concerned with societal problems like environmental sustainability and climate change.  After a short spell prospecting for diamonds in Tertiary coastal deposits in South Africa, I joined Bangor University where I stayed for 40 years. My research became increasingly interdisciplinary with a focus on how suspended sediments in shelf seas control biogeochemical cycling. This enables the oceans to trap carbon in seabed sediments rather than release it to the atmosphere.

I enjoyed teaching a broad range of students and introduced a lot more geoscience to undergraduates (few of whom thought they were interested in geology), including field courses on Anglesey, South Wales, Mauritius, and Virginia, and I created a new Geological Oceanography degree programme.

I developed the £43 million EU SEACAMS project, housed in a new Marine Centre Wales in Menai Bridge, to work with industry on marine renewable energy in Wales. This employed about 20 young researchers for over 10 years who would otherwise not have been working in Wales. Now Emeritus Professor, I was Head of the School of Ocean Sciences and Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at Bangor University.

My contribution as Chair of the Trustees is to coordinate strategy, contribute to grant applications, develop new educational presentations, liaise with practitioners in other cognate sectors, and keep trustees under control. My favourite rock, place and walk

Dr. Margaret Wood, founder and joint managing director.

I originally trained as a teacher and headed the Geography department in a prestigious Manchester school before moving to a research post at Manchester University running the Spark Source Mass Spectrometer. In 1969 I analysed dust from the first moon landing, subsequently analysing samples from every Apollo Mission. A career highlight came in the early 1970’s when, whilst jointly running an adult field course in Anglesey, I discovered the oldest fossils in the UK, stromatolites (cyanobacteria) now dated as over 900 million years old; a discovery published in ‘Nature” in 1973.  With both a research M.Sc. and a Ph.D., I became a consulting partner with clients including most Water Boards and many large companies in the UK and abroad.

In 1991 I moved to Anglesey to work for the Countryside Council for Wales as Area Geologist for North Wales, writing management reports for geological SSSIs and initiating the RIGS system across Wales. On retiring, inspired by the data collected, I conceived the idea of GeoMôn and started working towards membership of the European Geopark Network which was achieved in 2009.

GeoMôn became affiliated to UNESCO in 2010 and in 2015 became a full member of UNESCO’s new programme for Global Geoparks, giving Anglesey a status parallel to World Heritage sites and of equal value.  

All this took a huge amount of work and is an amazing achievement for which I was honoured with the Distinguished Service Award from the Geological Society of London for 2010 and in 2018 I was admitted to the Company of Honorary Fellows of Bangor University. I also feature on Trowelblazers, the website for famous women in geology, archaeology and paleontology. My guide to the rocks of the Rhoscolyn headland is available in our online shop.

My role as one of GeoMôn’s trustees is chief geoscientist and to steer the development of the GeoPark and oversee research into its geology. My favourite rock, place and walk

Dr. John Conway, web manager & book author

I’ve been associated with Anglesey all my life, one way or another; from very early family holidays to coming to do my PhD research at what was then University College of North Wales [ now Bangor University] where I spent three years examining soil formation on the various glacial sediments at Lleiniog and Beaumaris, and worked on the first ever Countryside Survey mapping soils across the UK. In 1977 I transferred to Gwynedd Archaeological Trust, working as a geoscientist on excavations at South Stack [Neolithic settlement], Gaerwen [Bronze age cemetery] and Cefn Graeanog, near Brynkir [Romano-British farm], examining soils, pottery and stone artifacts. On secondment to what is now CEH, I particpated in the first Countryside Survey, sampling soils all over the UK for two major projects. I also ran evening classes for UCNW at a number of sites locally on a variety of geological themes.

From 1980 I worked for over 20 years as an associate lecturer with the Open University teaching on the first year Science Foundation course (level 4), level 5 (second year) geochemistry and geophysics and level 6 (final year degree) oceanography.

From 1980 I worked for nearly 25 years as a part time field lecturer at Plas Tan-y-Bwlch [the Snowdonia National Park Study Centre] leading field weeks exploring the geology and landscape of the National Park but often ‘escaping’ onto Anglesey.

In 1983 I left to take up a post at the Royal Agricultural University teaching soil science to farmers but developed this into a wide ranging environmental programme at Masters’ level [sustainable development, natural resources, climate change, sustainable agriculture and food security] These courses are directly in line with the aims of the Geopark movement and I used GeoMôn / Anglesey frequently in my teaching. I’ve run several large environmental research projects, including a seven year project with over a million pound budget.   Over the years, I’ve supervised a dozen or so PhD projects on climate change and agriculture topics, and wound up as Director of Research for the whole university.

I never forgot Anglesey, and over the years have returned to lead innumerable field trips across the island – for the UCNW, for the Snowdonia National Park, for the Open University and for GeoMôn. I’ve been one of GeoMôn’s trustees from the very beginning and from my wide ranging background, I’ve written many articles on Anglesey’s geology and geoheritage and presented papers on GeoMôn at many European and UNESCO geopark conferences. I’ve written a guide to the whole of the Anglesey coastline, published bilingually [Welsh & English].

Now that I have retired I had hoped to be moving back to Anglesey to play a more active role in the Geopark so look out for my guided walks – and expect far more than geology! One of the original trustees, after a gap due to work commitments I rejoined the Board of Trustees in 2021. My favourite rock, place and walk

Caroline Schwaller MBE. Governance and finance advice 

I’ve been coming to Anglesey since 1962, and it has always been a very special place for the whole family, all generations.  Now we live in Amlwch and I have been a member of the Board of Trustees of GeoMôn since January 2020. Although new to GeoMôn and can’t claim to be a geologist, I bring 40 years of experience in the voluntary sector as a trustee or chair of an eclectic range of charities and CEO of several councils for voluntary service in England, with an ongoing involvement in grant giving. I bring a genuine excitement about being involved in GeoMôn and am developing a growing interest in geology. I have a deep love of landscape and the outdoors, and lot of experience in governance, developing and managing organisations, and strategic planning, change management and grant funding.

Amongst other things I have;

• developed and led many community based initiatives in areas of multiple deprivation;
• had a prominent role at local and national level as advocate and representative for voluntary organisations and communities; 
• conceived and led a large asset transfer project in Bradford District;
• taken organisations through significant change;
• set up collaborative and  multi-sector partnerships;
• improved trust and understanding between different sectors.

I have been

• a BURA community awards panel member
• a Common Purpose 2020 graduate
• a trained Audit Commission peer reviewer for local authorities
• awarded the MBE for services to the community

I am currently Chair of the Craven Trust, a Trustee of the Veolia Environmental Trust and a Trustee of Hidden Voices Kenya. My favourite rock, place and walk

Gavin Rowlands, membership secretary

Born on the island, I took up geology as a hobby when I was a teenager, even though it was not taught in the local schools. I was inspired by the rocks and formations while riding around the island on my bicycle collecting samples. A local stonemason in Bodffordd and I became friendly, and with his diamond saw he would rough cut the samples, give half to me and use the other half to build his house of local stone!

Originally my interest was hard rock, and I wanted to work as a mining geologist, but ended up with a career in the oil industry. I’ve been lucky enough to live, work and travel across the globe, experiencing a very wide range of oil rigs, cultures and landscapes. I’ve now returned to North Wales, live on Anglesey, and work for Robertson Geo in Deganwy, helping them to develop their geophysical logging business.

I joined the Board of Trustees in 2019 and my work for the trust includes preparing grant applications, increasing awareness of the geopark with the public and other stakeholders, supporting our members and helping to develop a long term plan for GeoMôn. My other interests include birding, photography, coastal walking and Welsh rugby. My favourite rock, place and walk

contact info@geomon.org.uk

Professor Cynthia V. Burek, Education and UNESCO official representative.

I am Emeritus Professor of Geoconservation (University of Chester), the only one in the world!  I’ve previously taught at the Open University in Wales, Wrexham University and in the Earth Science Education Unit at Keele University.

I developed the concept of Local Geodiversity Action Plans in 2002 and have liaised with planning departments on local geoconservation issues. I also developed a template for urban geology trails. I have been lucky enough to appear on several BBC programmes talking about the importance of geoconservation.

I headed up the NEWRIGS (North East Wales RIGS) group, looking after important geodiversity sites and producing a range of geotrail leaflets. I recently have also formed a relationship with the Lanzarote Geopark and hope to continue liaising with them on important issues to both GeoMôn and Lanzarote as whole island UNESCO geoparks. I’m also a member of UNESCO IGCP Science board for Geoheritage and GeoConservation. I joined the Board of Trustees to promote conservation of Anglesey geology.

I am passionately interested in early female geologists and the roles they played in developing the understanding of geology. I have researched several associated with Anglesey and the nearby area, including Catherine Raisin, Annie Greenly and Dilys Davies. I am keen on science communication and have both given talks and walks across the whole of the UK, as well as NZ, China and Lanzarote. I think it is really important that people should understand what we are trying to conserve.

I have been coming to Anglesey for many years with students from all the institutions I have taught at. It is a fantastic place to teach geology, habitat diversity but also both geo and bio conservation. I thoroughly enjoy telling biological students about the importance of geology and how geodiversity underpins biodiversity.

John Conway and I have collaborated on a variety of projects looking at limestone pavements across North Wales.

So in summary I bring enthusiasm and educational and conservation experience to the GeoMôn Geopark board and a willingness to talk geology to anyone who will listen to me. Walk and talk geology …couldn’t be better! My favourite rock, place and walk

Martin Schwaller, Watch House organiser and volunteer coordinator

Member of the Board of Trustees with particular responsibility for business development as Chair of Geopark Strategic Alliance. Also manages volunteers and the Watch House visitor centre. One of our official UNESCO representatives.

“When I was around 4 maybe 5 years old the girl next door, Jennifer, showed me stones that she had broken to reveal the beauty within, from that moment I have loved rocks and minerals and thence all things geological.

Of Swiss heritage and born into a World of top class restaurants it may seem odd that I am involved in GeoMon but fine cuisine and wines both have direct links to the geology and to the soils of their origin.

Having studied combined science (geography, physics and economics) at university I went back to the restaurant world gaining international recognition for both food and wine expertise….the key to that was an understanding of the provenance of ingredients and a respect of “terroir”.

After a while my career took me from restaurateur and wine merchant to multi-site restaurant, hotel and pub business development. Looking after regions of 30 or more businesses with large turnover and profitability I honed business acumen by understanding that any business is only as good as the people it involves, both employee and customer.

This in turn led to a conviction that business success should to be run on a holistic basis and that community and environmental impacts were of equal importance to economic and that indeed the three are inextricably entwined.

I moved into “sustainability” taking control of 1800 restaurant, pub and hotel business responsibilities to reduce environmental impact (we spent £85 million a year on utilities and created a 300,000 tonne carbon footprint). A strategy of blending capital input, a program of maintenance priorities and above all a huge behaviour change program for over 40,000 staff brought instant rewards. Major reductions in consumption were achieved as well as Carbon Trust award recognition and other “Green awards”.

I joined Lord Redesdale and the board of directors for the Energy Management Association specialising in the behaviour change aspects of energy and carbon reduction before finally retiring and moving to Anglesey.

Retired now, I can resurrect that love of geology and living on Anglesey has given me plenty to get excited about. Joining the board of GeoMôn has brought me close to a fantastic group of World class geologists and the extraordinary geology of the island. I am now happily using my long business experience encompassing business growth, marketing, and leadership to help develop and grow the wonderful GeoMôn.

Strangely perhaps, I still break open rocks to reveal the beauty within”. My favourite rock, place and walk

martin@geomon.org.uk

Dr. Rob Crossley, joint managing director and events coordinator

“In 1970 I made my first undergraduate geological map – of the Penmon area of Anglesey. I remember hitch-hiking from Reading to save the rail fare and, failing to reach Anglesey before dark, having to sleep under a hedge on the grassy slope beneath Bangor University Lloyd Building.  Today I live in Penmaenmawr and am the Senior Scientist in CGG with special responsibility for helping the world make the Energy Transition away from coal, oil and gas. 

The years between included completing a mapping-based PhD on the Kenya Rift volcanic geology in 1976. The following 9 years as Lecturer/Senior Lecturer at the University of Malawi, found me doing geological mapping-based research on rift valley structures, sediments and palaeohydrology. In 1986 I joined Robertson Research (now CGG) in North Wales, working successively in reservoir geology, petroleum exploration geology and lately as a geothermal geologist.

In my spare time I helped map and compile the listing of Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) for igneous rocks of Anglesey for Margaret. I also led field trips, for the petroleum industry and academia, using the superb combinations of rocks exposed on the Island as outdoor “classrooms”.

Farther afield, as part of my petroleum industry work, I undertook outcrop studies in Sakhalin (eastern Russia), Laos, Assam, the Middle East, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique, Brazil and Uruguay. I never came across an area with the huge range of geology compacted into a small area as demonstrated on Anglesey.

Today, having still not retired, I use the Anglesey outcrops to help demonstrate how exploration for geothermal energy – the only truly “green” non-nuclear “always on” energy resource – may be improved across the world. I am also investigating how these outcrops can help us develop new ways of thinking about exploring the world for the minerals required to make the Energy Transition.  Finally, I help where I can with ongoing academic research by top scientists in the UK and Japan. This helps to refine our knowledge of the unique assemblage of rocks that are under the stewardship of GeoMôn. I joined the Board of Trustees in 2021″. My favourite rock, place and walk

Maia Whomsley-Walker

I am the newest trustee of Geomon, having joined the board in the Spring of 2024. In terms of my background, I was lucky enough to grow up on the edge of Eryri so my interests in rocks actually stemmed from the fantastical landscapes and especially quarries around my home. When it came to choosing a degree for university, I couldn’t decide between environmental science and geology, so I chose a course at Lancaster University which included both. I spent my second year in Canada on a study abroad programme, and ended up doing my BSc dissertation on some Canadian geology; specifically a very messed up folded thrust stack in Newfoundland.

After graduating I returned home to Wales for a break from study, and eventually found myself volunteering once a week at Geomon’s Watchhouse in the sleepy port of Amlwch. I started giving small talks on various geological and environmental topics at the Watchhouse and helping out with walks and other events. 

I have since moved away from North Wales to complete an MSc in Geology at Universität Bern in Switzerland, researching a fascinating set of veins and faults in the Swiss Alps. Unfortunately this means that I’m currently only able to help out at Geomon virtually such as running our Instagram account. At the moment I’m particularly interested in exploring the intersections of geology and culture on Ynys Mon: the place names, agriculture, mythology, industries and art for example.

GeoMôn is a a charity registered with the Charity Commission (1145096) and a company limited by guarantee registered at Companies House (06711563).

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