UPLAND wildlife conservation charity Hen Harrier Action has unveiled significant changes to its Board of Trustees, effective from the end of this year. The adjustments include the appointment of two new co-chairs, marking the departure of Dr. Cathleen Thomas after an impactful tenure of almost three years as the chair.
The role of chair will now be shared by two accomplished and long-standing trustees, Paul Samuels, a wildlife and documentary filmmaker, and Indy Kiemel Greene, a dedicated conservationist and campaigner. Thomas, currently the Senior Environmental Manager at The John Muir Trust and Education Officer at The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, expressed a mix of emotions about stepping down. She stated, “I am obviously sad to be stepping down from the charity, but I am delighted to be leaving it with the very capable leadership of my colleagues Paul and Indy. They both bring a huge amount of expertise, experience, and passion to Hen Harrier Action, and I know the charity will thrive with their guidance.”
During Thomas’s leadership, Hen Harrier Action has been actively involved in raising awareness about the challenges faced by Hen Harriers, particularly focusing on the ongoing illegal persecution of the UK’s rarest bird of prey. The charity organised impactful events like Hen Harrier Day, Skydancer Day broadcasts, and the Young Wild Writer competitions. Notably, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity successfully transitioned to online platforms for Hen Harrier Day events, engaging conservationists such as Chris Packham, David Lindo, and Megan McCubbin.
Incoming co-chair Paul Samuels, with a background in professional music before transitioning into wildlife filming and live streaming, has been a trustee for Hen Harrier Action for almost two years. He is responsible for running the Skydancer Day broadcasts and has developed a series of short wildlife films titled “Autumn Live!”
Indy Kiemel Greene, the other co-chair, is already recognized for his appearances on Springwatch and more recently as one of the hosts of “8 Out of 10 Bats” with Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin. He serves as an RSPB Ambassador and is a member of the Youth Council.
These changes in leadership signal a strategic move to ensure the continuity and growth of Hen Harrier Action’s mission in the realm of wildlife conservation and the fight against illegal practices targeting Hen Harriers. The shared leadership model brings together diverse expertise and passion, positioning the charity for continued success in its critical endeavours.
