New boss for wildlife trust

CONSERVATION charity Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT) has appointed a new chief executive, Dr Bevis Watts.

Dr Watts, a chartered environmentalist, joins the trust from Triodos Bank where he has been head of business banking for the sustainable bank for the last five years. He replaces former chief executive Pat Ellingham, who retired at Christmas.

The AWT new boss has a personal interest in conservation, as a founding trustee of a Warwickshire-based conservation charity and as a volunteer on three international marine conservation projects.

Dr Watts said: "I have been an admirer and supporter of the trust's work for some time and of what is a very strong and stable organisation."To have such great heritage to build on is truly exciting and I hope my leadership can inspire a step change in the trust's scale and impact."

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AWT manages 35 nature reserves across the former Avon area, including Portbury Wharf and Willsbridge Valley. The trust, which is supported by more than 16,500 members, owns the education, conference and events venue, the Folly Farm Centre, and runs initiatives including Wild Schools and Feed Bristol.

The charity provides advice and guidance to farmers and landowners through Living Landscapes and other projects.

Dr Watts added: "My interest in conservation comes partly from a conviction about the social importance of wildlife to a healthy and truly sustainable society.

"At long last we are starting to recognise that a green economy doesn't simply mean creating some jobs in green industries, it means creating an economy that recognises its fundamental dependence on the health of our natural environment."

The appointment follows the retirement of former chief executive Steve Grainger in September and Pat Ellingham who was acting chief executive in the interim period.

Mrs Ellingham, who had worked at the charity for 30 years, said: "Although we were one of the last wildlife trusts to be formed, we started a new era – we were one of the first to say it's not just about conservation, our work must also be about education. What's the point of conserving the natural world, if we don't educate future generations on how to maintain our biodiversity, and inspire them to get out and enjoy the nature around them? We have achieved a lot over the past 30 years, and it's always been a wonderful place to work – to spend your days alongside people who are truly passionate about the work they do is a joy."