Professor Colin Galbraith has announced that he will be stepping down as Chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in the summer to take up the position of Chair of NatureScot:
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on JNCC, firstly as an independent member, then as Vice-Chair and currently as Chair. Whilst there is never a right time to leave, I am confident that I am leaving JNCC in a very strong position. Importantly, the launch of its new strategy later this month is the beginning of a new and vitally important phase of work for the organisation that will help underpin nature recovery across the UK, the UK Overseas Territories and internationally. I look forward to supporting the delivery of this crucial work, albeit from a slightly different role, as part of the JNCC and Country Nature Conservation Agency family. "
Dr Gemma Harper, CEO of JNCC commented:
"Colin has been part of JNCC’s governance for over eight years and his contributions have been essential to our success. He will be deeply missed and we wish him every success in our partner organisation, NatureScot. While this is a loss for JNCC we understand Colin’s lifelong ambition to recover nature in his beloved Scotland. The completion of our new strategy for nature recovery, which Colin will launch in a couple of weeks, is a tribute to him and his vision for JNCC."
JNCC will work with Defra and the Devolved Administrations to secure an interim Chair as soon as possible.