The Angling Trust Board thanked Stephen and Stuart for all their voluntary work which has contributed to the formation of the Trust. The Fish Legal Committee expressed their thanks to Stephen for 8 years’ service to the ACA and Fish Legal.
Michael Heylin was elected as Chairman of the Angling Trust at an Angling Trust Board meeting on Friday 4 September. Roger Furniss was elected as Chairman of Fish Legal at a Fish Legal Committee meeting shortly afterwards. Both appointments were supported unanimously by the Directors of Angling Trust and Trustees of Fish Legal respectively. A new Chairman of the Marine Committee will be recruited as soon as possible.
Michael Heylin said: “I am privileged, humbled and honoured to be able to Chair the Angling Trust, an organisation which I believe is absolutely vital for the future of angling in England. The Board and I are determined that the organisation will be transparent, accountable and listen to its membership and that we will take action to protect the interests of all sea, game and coarse anglers throughout England.”
Roger Furniss said: “I have seen how valuable the work of Fish Legal is to its member angling clubs and riparian owners at first hand on many occasions and I am looking forward to the opportunity of helping expand and develop this work which benefits all angling.
“The Fish Legal Committee and I will be looking at ways of increasing the resources available to this unique organisation in partnership with the Angling Trust in England and with the relevant governing bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
FishingMagic Note
Michael Heylin
Mike Heylin has fished for 58 years and worked for a living while doing it. After a career in corporate and business management Michael started and ran a succession of small companies in the construction and security industries. He now works full time in angling and fisheries.
He has been secretary of Boxmoor and District Angling Society for some years, runs an angling project for disadvantaged children, and has been active in local and national fisheries and angling management for several years, including as secretary of the Specialist Anglers Alliance, one of the organisations which wound up to form the Angling Trust.
His proudest moment in angling was sitting with children during National Fishing Week events and witnessing them catching their first fish ever.
Mike’ current roles, in addition to Chairman of Angling Trust:
• Member of Thames RFERAC
• Secretary of the Fish Welfare Group
• Secretary of Boxmoor & District Angling Society Ltd,
• Director of the Dacorum Angling Project
• Secretary of Colne Valley Anglers Consultative.
He finds time to call folk dancing and to be active in other community initiatives including the hospice movement. He is married with two grown-up children and lives in Hertfordshire.
Roger Furniss
A graduate of the world renowned Fisheries Department at Liverpool University, Roger had a long career in fisheries and environmental management with South West Water and its predecessors. He retired as Customer Service and Public Affairs Director in 2000.
Since ‘retiring’ he has
• chaired Groundwork Plymouth, and was a National Groundwork Board member
• chaired Business Challenge South West
• been a partner in a business consultancy
• chaired the Public Relations Degree Advisory Committee at Marjons University College
• chaired the operating company at the National Marine Aquarium
He is currently:
• Secretary of South West Rivers Association, which represents riparian owners and anglers
• Chairman of Fifteen Cornwall, the company which operates the Jamie Oliver inspired social enterprise restaurant
• Board Member of Angling Trust and Trustee of Fish Legal
• Member of Environment Agency’s SW Regional Fisheries, Ecology, and Recreation Advisory Committee and River Basin District Liaison Panel
Married, with a seven year old son, Roger lives in the country near Exeter, and enjoys all types of angling
