NATURESCOT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the PAC
- Deputy Chair
- Deputy Chair of the NatureScot Board
- Director of Operations at Seafish
- Member of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Aoife Martin took up the role of Deputy Chair of the NatureScot Board in April 2022.
Aoife believes that NatureScot is an organisation that can enrich people's lives. She says, "I am passionate about Scotland's natural environment and ensuring that its benefits are accessible to all. As a country, we need to strike the right balance on the sustainable use of this vital asset."
Aoife brings to the Board many years' experience of resource management, particularly marine environment management. She is an expert in policy development, regulatory implementation and compliance issues in fisheries, forestry and land management.
Aoife is currently Director of Operations at Seafish, the non-departmental public body supporting the UK seafood sector. Previously, she worked for the civil service in New Zealand, where she set up a partnership between government and the fisheries industry to ensure that deep-water stocks are managed sustainably.
Aoife is also a member of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, which advises government on nature conservation.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History and Geography from Trinity College Dublin and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Edinburgh.
Aoife spends her time between Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye, in her words "one of the most beautiful places on the planet". She loves being able to appreciate and value nature wherever she is and relaxes by running in Edinburgh parks and walking in the hills of Skye.
Aoife will serve as Deputy Chair of the NatureScot Board initially until 31 March 2024.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director of Green Economy
Claudia is Deputy Director of Green Economy for NatureScot. She provides senior leadership on supporting transformative land use and investing in natural capital to address the twin challenges of biodiversity and climate change. With over 20 years of experience on land use policy and practice, she now leads NatureScot's peatland restoration team, and Scotland's Natural Capital Pilot Programme to test approaches to future rural policy that combines sustainable food production, climate and nature. She also leads on NatureScot's work on nature-based jobs and skills, aiming to build capacity and skills across Scotland's workforce to help Scotland implement nature-based solutions and reach its net zero targets.
Job Titles:
- Member of Audit and Risk Committee
- Member of the ARC
Colin MacPhail joined the NatureScot Board in April 2021.
Colin is passionate about supporting rural communities and about the role farmers and land managers play in balancing producing sustainable food with managing the environment and looking after nature. He says, "I want to make sure we protect and enhance the natural environment for our children and future generations to enjoy."
As a farmer and agricultural business consultant, Colin has an in-depth understanding of practical land management and the challenges land managers face. He is particularly interested in, and has experience of, building relationships between land managers, nature conservation bodies and communities to develop practical environmental management schemes.
Colin brings to the Board a business-focused outlook and years of experience of working with a variety of rural businesses across Scotland. This includes posts as a Scottish Government agricultural officer, an agricultural consultant and the manager of large farming business.
Job Titles:
- Member of the PAC
- Board Member of South of Scotland Community Housing
- PAC Member Appointments
David Johnstone joined the NatureScot Board in April 2021.
David believes that there has never been a more important time to address the challenges facing Scotland's environment and that the public has the will to deal with them. He says, "We have an opportunity to reframe the way our countryside is managed and supported. There is a huge willingness to do good that's very heartening."
Running the family estate gives David first-hand experience of the challenge of managing land to protect the natural environment while looking after people by maintaining a vibrant community and economy. He manages enterprises ranging from traditional agriculture, forestry, and residential and commercial property through to renewable energy and tourism.
The Board benefits from David's experience of bringing together people from the public and private sectors and finding ways that they can work together to deliver better outcomes for Scotland's nature and people.
David is a Board member of South of Scotland Community Housing and chairs the Johnstonebridge Community Trust. He chaired Scottish Land and Estates for 7 years before stepping down in March 2020.
He lives on the family estate south of Moffat.
Job Titles:
- Member of Audit and Risk Committee
- Member of the ARC
- Member of the Board
- Science Education Consultant
Dr Heather Reid joined the NatureScot Board in April 2021.
Heather grew up loving the outdoors and Scotland's landscape, and she is passionate about sharing that appreciation of nature and making sure that it's protected for future generations to enjoy. She says, "We need to act now to leave our natural world in a good place for our children and generations to follow, and I would like to contribute to that."
Heather brings to the Board over 25 years' experience and skills in public science engagement and education, especially in environmental sciences and climate change. She has a strong background in science, which is at the heart of everything NatureScot does. She understands the climate crisis and the effect it is having on nature, having watched it evolve at first hand. She also has experience of strategic policy-making and public sector governance.
Heather is currently a science education consultant and was previously a weather forecaster with the Met Office and BBC Scotland.
She is a Board member of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority and was previously Chair of the Institute of Physics in Scotland and a trustee of Glasgow Science Centre. Heather has sat on several STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education advisory committees and works closely with the education sector and industry.
She enjoys hill-walking and mountain biking, especially when the sun is shining!
Heather will serve as a Board member of NatureScot initially until 31 March 2025.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Audit and Risk Committee
- Chairman of the ARC
- Reserve Officer
Reserve Officer Ian tells us about the importance of the willow at Loch Leven NNR.
Dr Ian Gambles joined the NatureScot Board in April 2021.
Ian believes that NatureScot is key to Scotland overcoming the challenges of looking after its environment and people in the face of global issues such as climate change. He says, "Protecting and restoring Scotland's natural environment is the greatest responsibility of our times. We need to set things right for future generations."
Ian joined the NatureScot Board following 8 years at the Forestry Commission in England, where he was Chief Executive Officer. He brings to the Board his considerable management experience, culminating in leading the Forestry Commission to become the strong organisation it is today, focused on valuing nature and connecting people to the natural world.
He is currently Chair of the Board of Directors of the James Hutton Institute.
Ian's career has spanned both public and private sectors, including senior positions at the Planning Inspectorate, HM Treasury and the management consultancy firms KPMG and Deloitte. He also ran his own consultancy business, specialising in strategy and business management in the public sector.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
When Ian is not relaxing outdoors in the mountains or the garden, he enjoys playing chess and real tennis. His ambition is to play on the only real tennis court in Scotland - and the oldest in the world - at Falkland Palace.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of the NatureScot Board
Dr Mike Cantlay was appointed Chair of the NatureScot Board in May 2017.
Mike believes that NatureScot is absolutely pivotal to the country's future. He says, "I am passionate about inspiring the people of Scotland to appreciate our natural heritage and to learn how to care for it for future generations."
Following many years as Convenor of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, Mike has first-hand understanding of both the challenges facing nature in Scotland and the communities that will be key to its recovery.
He brings to the Board a wealth of skills and more than 25 years' experience in public sector governance, including Chair of VistScotland and Board member of VisitBritain.
Mike's skills and experience were recognised in 2012, when he was awarded Scotland's Public Sector Leader of the Year. He capped this in 2014 with an OBE for services to tourism.
He studied at the University of Strathclyde, where he gained a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Business Administration. In 2003, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Stirling in recognition of his contribution to the Scottish tourism industry.
Mike lives in Callander, where he runs his own business, William Glen Ltd, with interests in property, textiles and whisky in Scotland and North America. He relaxes by looking after 50 acres of pasture and woodland and is happiest when immersed in nature.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director of Nature and Climate Change
Eileen is NatureScot's lead for science, monitoring and surveillance on land and sea. Eileen drives forward action to enhance people's connection with nature, promoting our work on landscape, recreation as well as overseeing our funding streams on biodiversity and place to support the creation of a nature-rich and resilient future.
Francesca leads NatureScot work to enhance our natural environment and inspire the people of Scotland to care more about it. Working closely with the Scottish Government and partners, Francesca builds consensus on the vital role of nature-based, nature-rich solutions to the climate emergency and as a cornerstone of Scotland's green recovery from Covid-19.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Services and Transformation
Jane is the strategic lead on organisational transformation and the delivery of excellent business and corporate services. Working collaboratively across the organisation, she and her teams provide the expertise, functions and facilities to empower colleagues to deliver for nature and the people of Scotland. Her focus is on enabling NatureScot, Scotland's nature agency, to be a successful, innovative and inclusive organisation.
Jason is the strategic lead on the NatureScot brand, stakeholder engagement and PR. Working with the Board and the Senior Leadership Team, Jason, along with the Communications and Executive Office teams, positions NatureScot as a leading supporter of Scotland's response to the twin crises of climate emergency and biodiversity decline and the Green Recovery from Covid-19.
Job Titles:
- Member of the PAC
- Protected Areas Committee Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Green Health Partnership Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Nature and Climate Change
Nick leads NatureScot's drive to reverse the current decline in nature, and work with nature to tackle climate change. Nick champions solutions on NatureScot's own land, and works with a range of stakeholders so that nature can thrive across Scotland's land and seas.
Job Titles:
- Member of Audit and Risk Committee
- Member of the ARC
- Member of the PAC
- ARC Member Appointments
Nikki Yoxall joined the NatureScot Board in April 2021.
Nikki believes that NatureScot has a crucial role in inspiring the Scottish public to get closer to nature. She says, "I love farming in a nature-rich landscape, and sharing that passion for being connected with the natural world is something I really enjoy and want to contribute." She is inspired by NatureScot's work with landowners and managers to find large-scale nature-based solutions to climate change.
Nikki brings to the Board experience of leadership and governance in the higher education sector. She also has the perspective of a young woman working in agriculture with an interest in engaging farmers, crofters and land managers with nature-friendly approaches.
Nikki farms with her husband in the north-east of Scotland and is Head of Research at Pasture for Life. She is currently undertaking a postgraduate degree to explore agroecological transitions.
Nikki previously worked in the higher education sector as Director of Learning and Teaching at the University of the Highlands and Islands Moray College and as Head of Learning - Land-based Studies at Chichester College.
She is a farmer ambassador for the Soil Association and sits on the Scotland Steering Group of the Nature Friendly Farming Network.
Nikki's favourite time to be outside in nature is early in the morning in late spring.
She will serve as a Board member of NatureScot initially until 31 March 2025.
Job Titles:
- Scientific Advisory Committee Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the PAC
- Adviser to the UK Commission for UNESCO
- Expert
- Professor of Outdoor
Professor Peter Higgins joined the NatureScot Board in April 2021.
Pete sees NatureScot as an organisation embodying his values. He says, "I have a real connection with the natural world. I am passionate about looking after nature and people's relationships with nature and about how we deal with the big issues of the day such as the climate emergency."
Job Titles:
- Director of Green Economy
Robbie is the Director of Green Economy at NatureScot. Working across government and with a range of externals, a key theme throughout his work has been the need to deliver multiple benefits from land, establish a more integrated approach to land management and improve the links and understanding between people and Scotland's natural capital.
Job Titles:
- Green Health Volunteer Development Officer
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director of Business Services and Transformation
Stuart leads NatureScot's business planning functions to ensure our resources are fully aligned to deliver bold and effective solutions towards restoring and growing Scotland's biodiversity. This includes working across teams to respond rapidly to emerging resourcing needs which help progress determined action to address the twin challenges of tackling biodiversity loss and the climate emergency.
Job Titles:
- Member of Audit and Risk Committee
- Member of the ARC
- Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Professor Wayne Powell joined the NatureScot Board in April 2021.
Wayne believes that NatureScot's mission is key to Scotland's future. He says, "I am passionate about connecting people with nature, as our natural heritage is at the heart of a healthy, prosperous and inclusive society."
Wayne brings to the Board extensive experience of leadership in the public, private and university sectors. He has a lifetime's experience of applying science to deliver practical benefits for rural economies. His personal research interests have a strong emphasis on delivering "public good" outcomes that benefit people and their well-being. He has published widely and collaborates with researchers around the world.
Wayne is currently Principal and Chief Executive of Scotland's Rural College (SRUC).
Before joining SRUC, he was Chief Science Officer at CGIAR in Montpellier, France, a global agri-food research partnership dedicated to achieving food security and sustainable food, land and water systems in a climate crisis.
Before that, as Professor and Director of the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth University, Wayne led a merger to form one of the largest research groups in the UK focusing on plant, environment and land-based sciences. He was also Director of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge.
Wayne is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
In his spare time, he is a passionate rugby follower.