Ben founded Dream for Trees in 2021 in response to the climate emergency to explore the first Miyawaki tree planting technique in the UK. An award-winning barrister specialising in human rights law, he has acted on climate justice test cases. ben helped set up the Bar Sustainability Network and has co-chaired the Bar Council Climate Crisis Working Group and the new Nature and Climate Panel. He was named Liberty Human Rights Lawyer of the Year.
A founding member of Matrix Chambers and one of the UK’s foremost specialists in environmental and human rights law, Jessica led the landmark Klimaseniorinnen case: the European Court of Human Rights ruling that established state obligations on climate change. She brings to Dream for Trees the depth of knowledge of someone who has spent her career making accountability stick.
Katrin is Director of The Hub, working on democratic resilience with leading UK civil society organisations. Founder of Hello World, an award-winning digital inclusion charity across Uganda, Nepal, and Nigeria, she brings to Dream for Trees the discipline of building movements rooted in evidence, local agency, and the power of narrative.
Liv came to Dream for Trees in 2021 the way many volunteers do – she turned up to a planting day and didn’t want to leave. Now a pupil at 9BR Chambers, she uses her developing legal career to advocate for the funding and commitments the climate crisis demands.
Emily joined in 2024 after volunteering at one of our plantings. As Net Zero Policy Manager at the British Standards Institution and a researcher with Oxford Net Zero, she brings experience in climate policy from the UK civil service and international standards — and comes here for the part that’s tangible.
Protect Earth plants native trees across the UK, restoring woodland and wildlife habitat at scale. They have funded Dream for Trees and brought their expertise to our planting days at Ickleford Community Forest and Thornton Grove primary school.
Mishcon de Reya is one of the UK’s leading law firms and an early supporter of Dream for Trees. If your firm or organisation shares our commitment to urban greening, we’d welcome a conversation.
STEP Academy Trust is a family of primary and special schools committed to improving the life chances of every child in its communities. Founded in 2011 with Gonville Academy, the Trust works as one organisation across multiple schools, sharing expertise, resources and high expectations. Its approach — STEP First, STEP Way and STEP Up — puts children first while providing consistent education and support across the Trust.
Thames Chase Trust is the charity at the heart of Thames Chase Community Forest, working with communities, landowners and local authorities to create and improve woodland and green spaces across East London and South West Essex. Its work focuses on landscape regeneration, wildlife, access to nature and helping local communities benefit from greener, better-connected places.
