Our Team
Meet the core Horstmann team
Adam Bloch
Chief executive / Trustee
Adam has over 25 years experience keeping and managing different birds of prey. With his technical background in engineering and IT as well as his experience in other industries, he has developed multiple innovative techniques for monitoring artificial and parental incubation. Adam specialises in condor and vulture welfare and behaviours, especially with imprints.
Holly Cale
Curator, head of research and aviculture / Trustee
Holly holds a first-class honours degree in zoology from the University of Reading, as well as having over 13 years’ experience in the zoo industry. Holly is an experienced aviculturist with experience in teaching artificial incubation techniques and embryonic development. She has hatched over 50 species of raptors in her career so far, including nine different species of old world and new world vultures.
Trustees
Our trustees provide their time and expertise to help us achieve our mission
Brett Sloman
Trustee
Brett was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1947. He attended school there until he was 19, at which point he left to see the world.
He met Manfred after qualifying as a solicitor he was invited to visit his bird collection. This started Brett on his own quest to learn about vultures and he has referred to this experience as a “road to Damascus” moment.
Brett was inspired by his love of the Brecon Beacons when it came time to relocate Manfred’s collection from Tunbridge Wells, and they jointly created our Carmarthenshire location.
After leaving his position as a lawyer for the Brecon Beacons National Park, Brett took on a larger role in Manfred’s overall work. Brett managed the inital building and transporting of the birds to the new site.
As a qualified lawyer and passionate conservationist, Brett’s knowledge of the collection, site and history of Horstmann are invaluable to the charity.
Dr Neil A Forbes BVetMed Dip ECZM (avian) FRCVS RCVS Emeritus Specialist Zoo and Wildlife (avian)
Trustee
Neil gained his RCVS Specialist Status in 1992, his FRCVS in exotic bird medicine in 1996, and a Diplomate of the European College of Avian Medicine and Surgery in 1997. He has lectured widely, contributed to over 36 books and 76 international peer reviewed papers, and received numerous awards – including the Mackellar Award, the Melton Award and the Helga Gerlach Senior Award ‘excellence in avian medicine’.
Neil is a past President of the European College of Zoological Medicine and the European Board of Specialisation. He has left clinical referral practice but provides consultancy services in respect of Infection Control and Biosecurity, zoo, avian and wildlife sectors, he undertakes LA Welfare and Licensing Inspections as well as acting as a Zoo Inspector in the UK and Eire. In his spare time Neil is heavily involved in vulture conservation in Southern Africa.
Emma Waldron
Trustee
Emma holds a first-class honours degree in wildlife ecology and conservation from the University of the West of England and has a background in communications and marketing. She has worked in zoos and conservation projects for the last five years, developing her passion for vultures and their protection.
Emma is also a trustee of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and works with the wider conservation community to improve conservation communication and access to conservation for young people.
Dr Rhian Gwilliam
Trustee
Dr Rhian Gwilliam is a human geneticist with a career spanning back to the mid-1990s. She has contributed to the Human Genome Mapping Project and a wide range of genetic studies, from single-gene disorders through to complex traits influenced by multiple genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
Alongside her scientific background, Rhian has significant charitable governance experience.
Rhian was appointed as a trustee of The Manfred Horstmann Vulture Conservation Trust in October 2024, bringing scientific insight and an evidence-led approach to support the Trust’s conservation mission and long-term strategy.
Joining our team
The Horstmann Trust was created by a group of likeminded people who believed there was a difference to be made in conservation.
We’re always happy to hear from people passionate about vultures and their conservation. If you think you’d be able to help our charity, please do get in touch!
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There are lots of ways to get involved and raise much needed funds for our work. We’re here to support you along the way…
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With your generous support we will continue to make a lasting difference for the vultures around the world.
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