Meet The Dorset Coast Forum Team
The team deliver a range of projects and core work in partnership with DCF members and coastal communities. DCF is hosted by Dorset Council, and the team are based at County Hall in Dorchester.
Toni Powell
Dorset Coast Forum Coordinator
toni.powell@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224771
Toni joined as DCF Co-ordinator in October 2021, overseeing the DCF Team. After completing an MA in Environment and Development, Toni worked in the community, charity and fundraising sectors for over 25 years, developing a range of skills and experiences. Toni is a strong advocate of partnership working and engaging local communities in decision making, which together result in successful projects that benefit communities, economies and the environment. In her spare time Toni enjoys swimming, coastal walks and checking out cake shops in seaside towns!
Nikki Parker-Goadsby
Dorset Coast Forum Support Officer
nikki.parker-goadsby@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224346
Nikki has been with Dorset Coast Forum since 2017, providing project support where needed in delivery, administration and stakeholder engagement, leading on the DCF eNews, social media and website development. Nikki’s background is in Marine Biology and providing different levels of support to teams and management within a variety of industries and sectors. Nikki spends her spare time in her garden or walking the coast or countryside.
Izzy Kelsall
Dorset Coast Forum Project Assistant
izzy.kelsall@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 22483
Izzy studied Geography and Anthropology at UCL, with further studying in Sustainable Fashion. A career within the creative industries followed in operational and support roles over the last 15 years. In her experience she has operationally led companies to improve their sustainability. After a few years of living in Valencia, Spain, Izzy and her husband moved to raise their young family in Dorset. She loves exploring the Dorset coast, fossil hunting with her kids and taking a dip in the sea.
Dan Williams
Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer
dan.williams@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 228679
Dan grew up in the South West, going on to study BSc Environmental Science at Portsmouth University. Dan’s background is in community flood resilience, climate change, and public engagement, and he also recently finished his MSc in Climate Change and Development with SOAS University of London. In his spare time, Dan is a keen surfer so you’ll find him in the water, on the beach, or enjoying coastal walks with his wife, daughter and dog.
Sara Parker
Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer
sara.parker@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224728 / 07780 148790
Sara joined the team in March 2022, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in the community and stakeholder engagement and education sectors, including over 10 years teaching in schools. Previously a lead engagement coordinator for youth and river restoration projects at the National Trust, Sara built relationships in diverse and hard to reach communities that remain strong today. You can often find her marine litter picking along the beautiful Dorset coastline – often with her trusty Border Collie and SUP in tow.
Elaine Snow
Dorset Coast Forum Project Officer
elaine.snow@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224730
Elaine joined the team in February 2024. After studying a degree in Human Geography and International Politics she has built up experience in events, destination management and more recently in the charities sector, building an array of partnerships along the way. Whether marketing coastal destinations or taking young people on adventures along the coast path Elaine has always made sure the landscape features in her work. When not at DCF you’ll find her baking, gardening or spending time working on the family farm.
Chair and Secretariat
Ness Smith
Dorset Coast Forum Chair
dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Dorset Coast Forum, County Hall, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ
Ness is a marine biologist and is an expert in the application of natural capital approaches to inform policy development and marine management. She currently works for Howell Marine Consulting where she is responsible for a portfolio of projects for the UK government and international clients such as the UN and the World Bank. Ness started her marine career at DCF as a project officer and returned to live in Purbeck two years ago. She spends her spare time walking on the coast path and is also a keen UK diver.
Bridget Betts
Dorset Coast Forum Secretariat, Environment Advice Team Manager, Dorset Council
bridget.betts@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
01305 224760
Bridget is a leader that oversees five brilliant teams including, Dorset Coast Forum. Experienced facilitator with an excellent track record of bringing in funding and delivering a wide range of projects that benefit Dorset. 25 years of experience, a strong community and engagement background, effective delivery of multi-agency partnership work.