Changes to the Earthwatch Europe Board of Trustees
9th September 2024
A blog from Earthwatch Europe Chair, Lucian J. Hudson, sharing changes to our Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees recently met in Central London, a stone’s throw from St. Paul’s Cathedral. It’s a symbol of architectural excellence, a sign of what human society can achieve at a point in time if it puts its mind to it, which is of lasting significance.
Our task as Earthwatch, albeit on a smaller scale, is to connect society to nature through Earthwatch experiences and a better understanding of environmental science and its application. With climate change, erosion in biodiversity and threatened collapse of ecosystems, we have our work cut out. We need to build the equivalent of a cathedral through collaboration and partnership in service of this generation and future generations. This has never been more urgent and important.
The Earthwatch Exec Team and Chair of the Board
Our last meeting was brimming with energy. It’s a tough environment – politically and commercially- in which to operate. Our ambition is grounded in realism. We know our insights and ability to inspire as an independent research organisation are impactful. Major corporates and leading research intensive universities seek our expertise and value our experience and networks. Our staff are expert and passionate about they do.
Our Board of Trustees is stronger than ever and evolving. We look forward to celebrating UK Trustees Week later this year. At our last meeting we expressed our thanks and appreciation to our departing CEO Steve Andrews who will shortly be leaving after five years of distinguished service and four Trustees who have supported Earthwatch with commitment, intelligence and integrity. Geoff Lane has been such an effective Vice-Chair that we found that we needed two Vice-Chairs to replace him! Ben Wilson and Emily Murrell will make a significant contribution, bringing their own skill and flair to the role. Dorothee D’Herde, Dax Lovegrove and Cristian Parrino have been excellent trustees. Geoff, Dorothee and Dax all served three full terms – 9 years – on our Board.
From left to right: Ben Wilson (Vice-Chair), Lucian J. Hudson (Chair) and Emily Murrell (Vice-Chair)
I have been in my role as Chair since I was appointed in 2016 and look forward to appointing and supporting a new CEO in their first year. If our latest campaign, the Great Water Blitz and recruitment round are anything to go by, we continue to attract interest and build understanding, trust and respect across public, private and civil society sectors. We are a critical resource that can inspire more people and organisations to have the courage and confidence to take evidence-informed action to make a difference.
You can find out more about our work and Board of Trustees on our website.