I am a freelance biodiversity consultant with strong managerial expertise in programme and project planning, implementation and evaluation. I trained as a botanist and the conservation of plant diversity remains my core professional interest.
I am a member and former Chair of the IUCN/SSC Global Tree Specialist Group, responsible for promoting and implementing projects to Red List and conserve globally threatened tree species. In September 2021 BGCI published the "State of the World's Trees" as a result of the Global Tree Assessment.
In February 2015 I stepped down as Secretary General of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) after 10 years with the organisation. I remain closely in touch with BGCI which is undertaking vitally important plant conservation, ecological restoration and environmental education work.
Before joining BGCI, I worked as Global Programmes Director for Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and previously I have worked for UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. In the past I also worked as a freelance consultant for over ten years, undertaking research and providing policy advice on international biodiversity conservation.
In May 2013 I was awarded an Institutional Honorary Doctorate by the University of Ghent, Belgium, in recognition of my work in international plant conservation. It was a huge honour and I am very proud to be associated with the University.
