Finance & Operations

Pete Crome, Head of Operations

Pete Crome, Head of Operations

Peter grew up in Australia where he has been involved in wildlife conservation since 1994. He was a carer for native Australian wildlife including bats, marsupials and birds and volunteered at the Moggill Koala Hospital, tending to sick and injured koalas.

After pursuing an international career as a ballet dancer, Peter returned to the environment sector, studying for a Bachelor of Environmental Management (Hons) at the University of Queensland. He spent six years with LRS Consultancy working on a wide range of environmental projects before joining BCT in March 2013 as a Helpline Manager. Pete moved into his current role as Head of Operations in 2018. In his spare time Peter is a keen wildlife photographer and writer, and owner of Schubert, the cutest dog in the world.

Email Pete: pcrome@bats.org.uk

Vicki Smith, Executive Assistant

Vicki joined BCT in November 2023 as Executive Assistant for the Chief Executive and Board matters. Prior to joining BCT, she had a long career in the legal sector in a variety of marketing, operational and personal assistant roles.

Vicki enjoys spending time outdoors and is keen for her three children to spend time in nature whenever they can. She is a regular visitor to the Wildwood Trust in Canterbury which celebrates native British wildlife, and she is looking forward to learning more about bats whilst at BCT.

Email Vicki: vsmith@bats.org.uk

Janet Baumkotter, People & Culture Manager

Janet Baumkotter, People & Culture Manager

Janet joined BCT in December 2012 following a long career in communications and charity administration. After several years in Public Relations consultancy, she joined the Rural Housing Trust as Head of Communications. She remained with the national charity for 20 years and became its Acting Chief Executive in 2009, responsible for the wind-down and closure of the organisation.

Her role at BCT has evolved and now she is responsible for: HR and H&S functions, helping BCT achieve compliance and best practice and keeping staff wellbeing, diversity and inclusion front of mind; ensuring office accommodation is fit for purpose; and contributing to the ongoing development of a working culture where colleagues feel valued, engaged, and respected.

Janet enjoys being outdoors – either in her garden, walking, and when she can, getting in some cold water for a swim!

Email Janet: jbaumkotter@bats.org.uk

Siân Moore, Senior Administration Officer

Siân first started working at BCT in May 2011 as a National Bat Helpline intern. She enjoyed learning about bats and BCT’s bat conservation work and later that year joined the admin team as an Admin Assistant. She was then promoted to Admin Officer and in 2018 Senior Administrator.

Siân studied biochemistry at UEA and first learned about BCT’s work when employed at an insulation company, where she had to liaise with homeowners about the bats in their lofts and cavity walls. She enjoys engaging with nature and is thankful for the opportunities she’s had to learn more about bats at BCT.

Email Siân: smoore@bats.org.uk

Ellen Root, Administration Officer

Ellen Root, Administration Officer

Ellen started working with BCT in April 2021 following a long career as a picture researcher in illustrated publishing, mainly working on travel guides. She grew up enjoying the countryside of Surrey (paddling in the Bourne river, stroking ponies, cycling by fields, etc.) and sailing near Chichester watching all the amazing birdlife and occasionally encountering seals and dolphins. She went to high school in Florida and while living in the subtropics was exposed to all kinds of swamp creatures - mosquitoes, palmetto beetles, snakes, alligators, etc and sea creatures including the manatee.

Ellen returned to the UK to study Social Psychology at Kent University and then moved to London, where she fell into the world of picture research and London’s vibrant arts culture. While living in London, Ellen's interactions with nature are through pottering in the garden and membership of the Woodland Trust, RSBP and Kew Gardens. The lockdowns of the pandemic reconnected Ellen to the joys of nature and she jumped at the chance to join a conservation organisation and to learn more about bats.

Email Ellen: eroot@bats.org.uk

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