The WSBRC team is currently made up of 2 members of staff and several volunteers.
Chrys Drakaki – Data Lead
With studies in Biology, Environmental Sciences and Geographical Information Systems, Chrys joined WSBRC in 2018 as the Data Officer, and in 2026 became the Data Lead. In her current role, Chrys leads on data quality, governance and analytical outputs for WSBRC, ensuring the integrity, credibility and strategic value of the biological evidence base.
She also manages the WSBRC biological and geospatial data, while working closely with the County Recorders. She uses ArcGIS and Python scripting for data analysis and automation, and offers GIS support and training.
Before joining WSBRC, Chrys volunteered with the Centre of Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR), The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in Northern Ireland, processing biological records, surveying wildlife, doing practical land management work, and more.
Lara Spearman – Data Officer
Lara has worked at WSBRC since 2024, first as the Assistant Ancient Woodland Inventory Officer—helping WSBRC finalise the project—and later as a consultant. In 2026, she re-joined WSBRC as the Data Officer and is the main point of contact for data search requests. She processes, validates and prepares species, sites and habitats data, and uses Python scripting for data analysis and automations.
Before joining WSBRC, Lara was a Lead Data Scientist in Defra, working on farming policy and land use. Prior to that, she worked as a data scientist at No.10 Downing Street where she led a scheme looking at innovation in government.
Alongside her WSBRC work, Lara farms Aberdeen Angus/Red Devon cattle and uses them to help manage the land as species rich grassland. She has also recently completed a postgraduate qualification in Ecology.
Photo credits: © Chrysoula Drakaki