Women's Upland Network Founder
Viv Gill
Chair, The Heather Trust
Background and Career to date
My husband is from Northumberland and so I was introduced to the North Pennines in the 1980s where his family had a small upland estate. Having grown up in the countryside outside Oxford, I was completely taken by the wildness of the area - but it wasn’t until six years ago, after a career in HR, that we had the opportunity to move here permanently. We now live amongst the beautiful heather moorland of the South Tyne Valley, where my husband and I run the farm and estate.
Please describe why the uplands are important to you?
Running the farm has introduced me to the importance of upland conservation and living here has given me a deep attachment to these precious habitats and the biodiversity they support.
What inspired you to become a founder of the Women’s Upland Network (WUN)?
The Women’s Upland Network was conceived through conversations with Katrina Candy, whom I met when she joined The Heather Trust in 2024. The Trust is a small but special charity doing vital work across the UK - promoting the importance of our magnificent moorlands. I took on the role of Chair in 2023 because I believe strongly in its mission of sustainable, resilient moorlands for the benefit of all. At the Trust we want to ensure our moorlands remain vibrant and productive for generations to come and through the Women’s Upland Network, we hope to connect, support and give voice to women working across upland landscapes.
What does the success of the WUN looks like for you?
Success to me means providing opportunities for women to collaborate, share knowledge - as well as ensuring women feel confident, visible and valued across the uplands.
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