About Us
EPIKs is the working title for Environment Kirklees Ltd, a not for profit company based in Huddersfield and operating projects throughout Kirklees. Our team includes a combination of volunteer directors and paid part time staff.
Through our projects we work with residents, community groups, institutions, businesses and employees to increase environmental awareness and facilitate engagement in practical environmental solutions.
Our activities go back over 20 years. The company’s forerunner was Kirklees Environment Partnership, which was a forum involving the public and private sector with the voluntary sector. Started in 2002, KEP also delivered a number of innovative educational projects.
The Greenstreams project has its origins in the 1990s. The poor quality of the river Colne and the litter and dumping in the river corridor acted as a catalyst to the formation of a river stewardship project, promoted by our local MP, Barry Sheerman.
In 2016 KEP merged with Environmental Alliance Limited, a not-for-profit organisation that managed the delivery of Greenstreams and its river stewardship projects from 2006.
Read our data protection policy here.

Our Team

Chas Ball
Director/Chair
Chas is lead director on transport issues. He is convenor of the transport group of Zero Carbon Yorkshire and a member of the Kirklees Cycling Campaign committee.
He was Chief Executive of Carplus Trust (now CoMoUK) the UK organisation for “combined mobility” until he retired and he served on the board of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership (LowCVP) for three years until 2015.
He previously worked on innovative recycling and waste projects with Leeds-based community enterprise SWAP (Save Waste & Prosper).
He is a trustee of Huddersfield Civic Society and Marsden Jazz Festival.

Jeff Keenlyside
Director
Jeff has been leading on the Greenstreams Project for several years developing the corporate sponsorship scheme, and more recently, the concept of 3 Valleys Nature Park.
With an environmental science background he previously worked for Kirklees Council as an ecologist in the Environment Unit and then the Planning Service before retirement. He has been involved with developing wildlife and recreation projects around the River Colne for over 20 years and believes rivers are a massive economic and environmental asset.
A keen birdwatcher and wildlife enthusiast, most of which is done from the saddle of a bike or the cockpit of a sailboat or kayak.

Ali Stopher
Director/Secretary
Ali has a keen interest in nature, wildlife and the wider environment. She has a background in planning, community work, environmental policy and projects within local authorities and the voluntary sector. Ali can be found out and about walking or tending her allotment, is a primary school governor (a chair of governors until recently) and a volunteer in her neighbourhood. A new grandparent, she is very concerned about the current and continuing effects of climate change on people and the natural world.

Kim Warren
Project Worker (part time)
Kim has over thirty years’ experience in the environment sector, including practical conservation, managing waste and resources and working with volunteers. Kim is passionate about inspiring people to take action for the environment and is keen to involve young people in action for their futures. As an avid cyclist and advocate for local food, she also volunteers with local groups to promote active travel and growing food close to home.

Richard Byrne
Communications Manager (part time)
Richard joined the team in August 2024 and is keen to help EPIKS spread the word about all the great projects they have coming up. Richard’s been engaged with nature and climate issues for over 30 years, has lived in Huddersfield since 2004 and loves getting out in wild places with his family and his dog.

Caron Neild
Finance and Admin (part time)
Caron worked, has over 20 years’ experience within the fostering sector for a not-for-profit organisation as a Finance Director, Administration Manager and Contracts Officer. Her voluntary roles include treasurer for a local community centre and the chair of governors for a primary school. She takes great pride in being able to achieve the best outcomes for everyone she works with and has a strong ‘can do’ attitude.
Caron loves the outdoors including hiking, fell running and cycling and always finding new ways to make the community we live in a cleaner and better place for future generations.

Katy Livings
Business Administrator
Katy was born in Huddersfield but has lived in many different locations around the world including the French Alps, where she developed a love for being outdoors. Katy is currently studying towards a BA in Environmental Studies and has a passion for environmental issues with a focus on climate change and the inequalities arising from this. She regularly enjoys wild swimming, hiking and climbing, either with or without her three children.
Katy has previous experience of funding applications, fundraising events and volunteer management with the Motherhub community group which she chaired for several years.

John Munroe
Director
John is an enthusiastic e-biker and walker. With 30 years’ experience in the IT sector he is able to support EPIKS with a range of technical and industry advice.
John grew up in Northern Ireland, only a few miles from the beautiful Causeway Coast but has lived with his family in Huddersfield for the last 30 years. As well as spending time in the great outdoors, John is a keen musician and plays tenor saxophone with the Honley saxophone choir and Musica Mirfield Swing Band.

Jim Grey
Walking and Cycling Coordinator
Jim is a keen outdoorsman with a passion for introducing young people to the outdoors and all the benefits it brings. He worked in management within the Outdoor Retail Industry following an MSc in Archaeology and has a drive to really get people engaged with the outdoor world. As a retained Firefighter and a Scout Leader he believes strongly in giving back to the local community.
Jim loves keeping active with his two young sons and in his spare time has a passion for fell running and long distance challenges; including a marathon carrying Firefighting Kit and several 100 mile races.