National Sheep Association

Contact NSA Head Office

NSA Head Office staff are available to take enquiries Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Use these details, or directly contact an individual staff member from the list below. Visit www.nationalsheep.org.uk/about/nsa-governance for a staff organogram and a list of which staff members deal with which type of enquiry.

Phil Stocker
Phil Stocker
Chief Executive
Phil leads NSA in its role of providing a voice for the UK sheep sector. Prior to joining the organisation in 2011, he spent well over 20 years in practical farming and farm management, followed by 15 years leading the Soil Association’s support for its farmer and grower members. Phil’s vision for the NSA an influential and respected organisation leading the UK sheep industry, which is forward-thinking yet maintaining the traditional and cultural aspects that are so valued. Outside of work, Phil immerses himself in things practical and hands on, from coppicing woodland, keeping poultry, growing veg and various building and DIY projects. Contact Phil via Andrea Calvesbert, NSA Assistant to the Chief Executive.
Alexandra Abbott
Alexandra Abbott
Finance Assistant
Alexandra works alongside Karen Sumner, NSA Finance Officer, to ensure all the financial administrative functions of the association are performed without a hitch. While working across all areas of financial administration, Alexandra takes a particular lead on supporting the NSA regions with finances and budgets. When not at work, Alexandra enjoys walking her dogs on the Malverns, spending time with family and friends and exploring the UK and beyond. Alexandra’s working hours vary depending on workloads so enquiries by email may not be picked up straight away. For anything urgent, email Karen Sumner in the first instance.
Chris Adamson
Chris Adamson
Regional Events Support Officer
Chris supports NSA regional and national events across the UK, providing practical assistance. He represents NSA at these shows and sales, manages the NSA stand, engages with members and prospective members and supports regional volunteers and committees. Outside of work, Chris enjoys working with his small flock of pedigree Kerry Hill sheep where you may see him competing at shows and events throughout the country. He is also a keen photographer. Chris’s working hours vary according to the event’s calendar so enquiries by email may not be picked up straight away. For anything urgent, email Fiona Parker in the first instance.
Lydia Badham
Lydia Badham
Digital Communications Officer
Lydia’s role is focused on maintaining NSA’s online presence, to keep members up-to-date and make sure non-members know what they’re missing out on! She manages the NSA websites and social media channels, to promote membership subscriptions, upcoming events, activities and competitions. Lydia also produces many of the NSA graphics and prints that are seen by members, such as social media posts, the NSA Impact Report or your membership pack! Lydia ensures members receive the NSA Weekly Email Update and other important communications. Outside of work, Lydia enjoys painting and creating, watching a good TV series and catching up with friends and family.
Julia Bell
Julia Bell
NSA Scottish Region Activities Officer
Julia joins NSA as Scottish Region Activities Officer and is responsible for planning and delivering communications and events across the Scottish Region, including the NSA Scotsheep and Highland Sheep events, the NSA presence at the Royal Highland Show and the Lamb for St Andrew’s Day campaign. Julia also supports wider engagement with members and industry stakeholders, working closely with the Communications Team and NSA regional committees. She works three and a half days per week and is based in Scotland. Outside of work, Julia loves all things creative, is a keen painter, and can usually be found being taken for a walk by her dogs, rather than the other way around!
Faye Bryce
Faye Bryce
NSA Scottish Region Policy Officer
Faye joins NSA as Scottish Region Policy Officer, supporting the charity’s representation and engagement across Scotland on a wide range of policy issues. Working closely with NSA officeholders and staff, Faye is responsible for responding to consultations, representing NSA at meetings with stakeholders, and communicating technical and policy messages across our platforms and events. She works three and a half days per week from her base in Scotland, and her role is jointly supported by NSA Head Office and NSA Scottish Region. Outside of work, Faye enjoys weaving and sewing - naturally, with wool - as well as experimenting with sustainable gardening.
Andrea Calvesbert
Andrea Calvesbert
Assistant to the Chief Executive
Andrea supports Phil Stocker in his role as NSA Chief Executive by managing his diary, fielding enquiries and coordinating various work streams between Phil and other team members. She has an overview of all NSA activities and interests, to ensure requests for meetings, contributions and support are directed to the correct place. When not at work, Andrea enjoys being outdoors walking her dogs and riding her horse, as well as going out for coffee and cake with her two (grown up) children.
Abby Cook
Abby Cook
NSA Project Manager
As NSA Project Manager, Abby is involved in managing and delivering all internal and external projects for the association. This includes delivering NSA’s contribution to various technical/research projects, and overseeing NSA's involvement in a number of associated projects. Outside of work, Abby can usually be found either doing something with her flock of Herdwick sheep, going hiking with her two collie dogs or doing something involving horses.
Aaron Dhanda
Aaron Dhanda
NSA Operations Director
Aaron’s role is to direct and manage the everyday operational functions of NSA, to ensure the professional, effective and consistent delivery of NSA’s charitable objectives, particularly around governance, finances and staffing. He also manages the NSA Sheep Centre, the NSA site in Malvern, Worcestershire. This role sees Aaron work closely with all other members of the NSA team, the NSA Trustees and other officeholders. Outside of work, Aaron is a keen baker, with regular trips to the gym to burn off the sweet treats, and enjoys unwinding with a good series on Netflix.
Katie James
Katie James
Communications Manager
With responsibility for NSA's communications work, Katie keeps up speed with everything that's going on within the organisation and raises its profile through press activity and promotion of events and activities. She communicates directly with members, including via contributions to Sheep Farmer magazine, as well as getting important information to the wider industry and beyond. Katie works alongside Lydia Badham, Digital Communications Officer, in the production of the NSA Weekly Email Update and maintaining NSA’s online presence. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with her young family, which often involves working with their small flock of pedigree Ryeland sheep, attending local agricultural shows and events.
Ellen Moorehead
Ellen Moorehead
Regional Coordinator & NSA Sheep NI Event Co-Organiser
Ellen's role as NSA Northern Ireland Regional Coordinator sees her manage regional activity in Northern Ireland and organise NSA Sheep NI event and activity at Balmoral Show. Ellen represents the Northern Ireland Region of NSA and participates in many of the policy discussions relevant to the region. Alongside her NSA role, Ellen now runs her own consultancy business and helps local farmers with compliance paperwork, while raising three young children.
Fiona Parker
Fiona Parker
Support & Activities Officer
Fiona is the link between NSA Head Office and its regional network of committees, officeholders and events. She also provides membership support, for NSA members and Register of Sheep Adviser (RoSA) members. Fiona is the point of contact for all general enquiries, well positioned to ensure they get to the right person within NSA’s extensive network. Outside of work, Fiona is a keen sports fan. She also enjoys walking and visiting local agricultural shows and events.
Michael Priestley
Michael Priestley
Policy Manager
With NSA involved in so many policy topics affecting sheep farming, Michael’s role is managing and coordinating the association’s work to ensure sheep farmers are well represented in all forums and members are kept up-to-date with new developments and ongoing issues. Michael represents NSA at a wide range of stakeholder meetings, speaks at industry events and engages with the NSA network of farmer members. Away from work, Michael enjoys playing the trombone and banjo, working on livestock farms, organising speakers for the local agricultural discussion group and being the secretary of a village cricket club.
Helen Roberts
Helen Roberts
Corporate Sales Manager
Helen carries several responsibilities for NSA, splitting her time between working for NSA Head Office and for NSA Cymru/Wales Region. In her role as Corporate Sales Manager, Helen is the person to speak to regarding advertising in Sheep Farmer magazine, sponsoring NSA as a Corporate Supporter, and developing and maintaining relationships mainly between commercial companies and NSA. Helen also organises the national biennial NSA Sheep Event at Malvern. Her position as NSA Cymru/Wales Region Development Officer sees her manage regional activity in Wales and organise NSA Welsh Sheep. Helen has always been actively involved in the sheep sector, annually attending shows and events in pursuit of prizes for her father’s pedigree flock of Suffolk sheep.
Diana Smith
Diana Smith
Membership Officer
Di plays a vital role in the NSA office, maintaining the NSA membership database and ensuring all NSA members receive relevant correspondence regarding their membership subscription in an accurate and timely manner. Di is also at the end of the phone for any queries relating to membership and processing application forms. Di looks after campaigns and all other elements of data management. Outside of work, Di enjoys spoiling her grandchildren, travelling and going to live music events.
Karen Sumner
Karen Sumner
Finance Officer
Karen’s role is based at NSA Head Office where she is responsible for all of the financial administrative functions for the association. This includes accounts administration, financial analysis and reporting as well as support for budget preparation when required through the year. Outside of work, Karen is a keen gardener. She also enjoys knitting and spending time with her family.
Anna Wilson
Anna Wilson
Technical Communications Officer
Ensuring members get the best possible information to run their sheep flocks and businesses is the remit for Anna. She writes the NSA Weekly Email Update, works with NSA Project Manager, Nicola Noble, to disseminate project information and produce Sheep Farmer magazine, delivers the NSA Next Generation programme, and is secretariat for the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group. Anna lives on a commercial sheep and arable farm in North Yorkshire with her husband and son. When she's not helping out on the farm, you'll find Anna in the show ring with her pedigree Kerry Hills.
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