We are pleased to announce that Defra Ministers have appointed David Cooper as the new Chair of JNCC.
The appointment was made in conjunction with the devolved governments and is for a three-year term, from 1 June 2025 to 31 May 2028.
David Cooper is Visiting Fellow at the Oxford Martin School and Honorary Researcher of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery at the University of Oxford. He has more than 30 years of experience in international science and policy, including at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. As CBD Deputy Executive Secretary and Acting Executive Secretary, he was instrumental in facilitating the development and adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and related agreements.
David has also contributed to the work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) among other scientific reports and assessments. He has chaired a number of bodies, including the Collaborative Partnership on Sustainable Wildlife Management, the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership, and the Inter-agency liaison group on Invasive Alien Species.
Welcoming his appointment, David said: "After many years working at the international level I am delighted to have this opportunity to contribute to nature recovery across the countries and territories of the UK. Nature is essential to our health, wealth and well-being, intertwined with our history, landscape and culture, and key to securing our future in face of climate change and other challenges. I am eager to join my colleagues on the Committee, Dr Gemma Harper OBE, and her team of dedicated professionals at JNCC to help turn science into action for nature, people and the planet, working in partnership with the nature agencies in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. I would like to express my gratitude to interim Chair Professor Tom Meagher for his successful leadership over the past months."
Gemma Harper, JNCC Chief Executive said: "I am delighted to welcome David Cooper as the new Chair of JNCC. David brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. He played a key role as deputy Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity in agreeing the seminal Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework – the 'Paris moment for nature'. I am very much looking forward to working with David to achieve our vision of thriving nature for a sustainable future."
In addition to David’s appointment as Chair, Tom Meagher has also been reappointed as an Independent Member for a four-year term until 3 April 2029.
Gemma Harper commented: "I would like to thank Professor Tom Meagher for his service as interim Chair of JNCC. He has been a kind, supportive and wise interim Chair and I have enjoyed working with him. I am delighted his term as independent member of Committee has been extended and looking forward to a continued positive working relationship."
Both appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.