Dr Matthew Bond
Chief Executive
Matt joined OATA originally as our Scientific and Technical Advisor having previously worked as a lecturer in marine biology at the University of Essex. Prior to this he worked for several years in the ornamental aquatic trade, alongside his studies at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
He received his bachelor’s degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology from Essex University. He then then stayed at Essex to complete his PhD in evolutionary ecology of fish populations where his research also focused on the roles of fishing and competition in regulating evolution in life history and population dynamics in fish, effects of acidification on fish growth and reproduction, and social dynamics of fish groups.
During his time at OATA he has worked across multiple policy areas, including advocating for more streamlined checks at the border, representing industry at CITES meetings, working with CASC to make welfare policy work for fish, and more.
In his spare time, he has been a keen aquarist, having kept a range of marine and freshwater species from cichlids to mandarinfish, and he’s also a competitive road cyclist.
Emily Maunder
Scientific & Technical Adviser
Emily has a first-class Master’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of Southampton where she studied the feeding behaviours of a critically endangered freshwater fish. She orginally joined OATA as our Scientific Support Officer. She brought a varied wealth of experience when she joined, having lectured in Animal Welfare, worked in a public aquarium and spent several years working for both chain and independent aquatic retailers.
In her spare time, Emily has a particular interest in livebearers and currently keeps a small breeding colony of Zoogoneticus tequila and she plays Euphonium in a local brass band.
Dawn Jones
Finance & Office Manager
Dawn Jones joined the team from a Wiltshire accountancy firm where she was Personal Tax Manager and Client Manager for a number of years.
She brings her excellent accounting and administration skills to our Westbury office, where she will be the first point of contact for anyone getting in touch with us.
In her spare time, she volunteers at a local horse sanctuary and enjoys horseriding.
Pauline Davey
PR and Parliamentary Officer
Pauline joined OATA in 2013 to help us to improve the way we shout about the great work we do. Originally she trained as a journalist before making the move into PR where she’s worked for more than two decades.
She’s responsible for seeking out our stories and making sure the trade and our members know about what OATA is doing to keep the industry alive and products on shelves. She also writes our monthly newsletters to members, our Annual Report and manages our Facebook page, our Instagram and X accounts along with our LinkedIn page.
She also supports OATA'[s public affairs work, researching and writing submissions to the UK Parliament and devolved administrations.
