Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust appoints new CEO

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust appoints new CEO

Trustees of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) are delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew McLaughlin as their new CEO.

Prior to joining GWT, Andrew spent more than a decade working at the National Trust (NT) as Head of Communications before becoming General Manager of leading NT property Kingston Lacy, a role that saw him oversee the management of the largest lowland heathland in the UK (Holt Heath). He moved to a new role as CEO of The Student’s Union at the University of Bath in 2016, before most recently heading up the new Strategy and Innovation Division at South Gloucestershire Council.

Having lived in the Gloucestershire area for many years, Andrew is firmly rooted in the values of the county and the ambitions of GWT for this special place. His breadth of experience, particularly in delivering high impact strategic plans and with a focus on collaboration, perfectly complement GWT’s ambitious 2030 Strategy, which has broad aims across three key areas: stopping and reversing wildlife declines, more people taking action for nature and normalising natural solutions to climate change.

Andrew will be joining GWT in early September. He said: 

“My family and I have deep connections with Gloucestershire and I’m thrilled to be joining the county’s largest membership organisation as their new CEO. Like many people, I’ve become increasingly alarmed at the decline of nature both here in our county and across the UK and see my role as CEO as ensuring we have everything in place to make our ambitious strategy a reality, for the wildlife and people of Gloucestershire. I can’t wait to get started.”

Dr David Bullock, Chair of Trustees at GWT, is delighted to welcome Andrew to the Trust. He said: 

“After a long and thorough selection process, we are very pleased to have appointed Andrew as our new CEO.  His breadth and depth of experience will enable him to lead the Trust in delivering our ambitious plans with confidence and expertise. We very much look forward to working with him in this role at such a crucial time for the recovery of nature.”

The appointment comes at an exciting time for Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust as they move into the second year of delivering their 2030 Strategy. The Trust is supported by over 28,000 members, 450 volunteers and over 80 staff members that manage its conservation projects, nature reserves and engagement activities, working closely with a wide range of partner organisations across the county.

Notes to editors

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) works closely with local communities, landowners and partners to deliver much-needed conservation work across more than 1,000 hectares of nature reserves, and within the wider landscape of Gloucestershire. This vital work safeguards these remaining special wild places and drives nature’s recovery, working towards a future where the countryside thrives once more with wildlife, wildflowers, trees, butterflies, insects and animals.

The charity also delivers a vast range of engagement activities and projects across the county, as well as providing free public access to its nature reserves, enabling people from all backgrounds to spend time outdoors and get closer to nature.