The Trust is governed by a Board of 12 Directors and a Company Secretary representing a wide range of interests and professions, including anglers, land managers, legal professionals, business, conservation and tourism.
GFT Directors (updated June 2026):
Mr R J Bellamy (Vice-chair)
Mr M O Davies (Chair)
Mr J M Haley
Mr M G R Hannay
Mr J P H Ingall
Mr M Emkes
Dr Mary Ann Smyth
Mrs M A H Nicholson
Mr C Morton
Earl of Stair
Lord Vaux of Harrowden
Mr W G Marshall
G Moore (Company Secretary)
The Trust employees have a wide range of skills and expertise to ensure we can effectively deliver our objectives. Additional field surveyors are employed to help during most summers. Trust staff and Directors sit on various boards and steering groups to assist in delivering our aims and objectives including the Scottish Fisheries Co-ordination Centre, Loch Ken Trust, Fisheries Management Scotland, Local Advisory Group, South Scotland Conservancy Regional Stakeholder Group and the Wild Salmon Strategy Implementation Plan Delivery Group.
The Galloway Fisheries Trust changed its name to Galloway Rivers Trust in June 2026 to reflect the organisation's broader role in protecting and improving local rivers and freshwater environments. While fisheries remains an important part of our activities, the Trust works across river catchments, including habitat restoration, water quality, education, invasive species control and community engagement.
GFT is a Fair Work Employer.
We recently became aware that our Contact Us enquiry form was faulty and it has now been rectified.
The two-year project aimed at increasing awareness about sparling has come to an end. The project was designed to be delivered by two interns, the second of which Courtney Rowland reflects on her time on the project.
GFT would like to say thank you to everyone that helped us in our plea for information on sightings of American signal crayfish across Galloway.