Honorary President and Trustees

Dr Gerard Bertrand

Honorary President

With 35 years’ experience in environmental science and conservation, Jerry Bertrand’s primary interest has always revolved around the preservation of habitat and species. After serving as a science advisor in the Executive Offices of Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter, Jerry became head of International Affairs for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He was Executive President of Massachusetts Audubon Society for many years and former Chairman of BirdLife International. Jerry was a co-founder of World Land Trust in 1989 and has been actively involved ever since. Jerry has an MS and PhD in marine science and oceanography, and he also holds a degree in environmental law.

Claire Ashby

Honorary Treasurer

Claire is a chartered accountant and chartered internal auditor with 25 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector. She runs her own consultancy providing internal audit services, charity governance, risk management, finance and business process advice to the arts and cultural sector. She works with some of the UK’s leading cultural institutions including the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company and Southbank Centre as well as with smaller arts charities and other non-for-profit organisations. Earlier in her career, Claire qualified as a chartered accountant with a global accountancy firm and was Head of Operational Audit at the BBC.

Claire is passionate about protecting our planet, holds an MSc in Environmental Management and is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. She has volunteered on re-wilding and conservation projects in Patagonia and has been privileged to travel to some of the world’s remote and wild places whilst pursuing her love of hiking and kayaking.

Claire was appointed as WLT Honorary Treasurer in December 2022.

Andrew Balmford

Trustee

Andrew is Professor of Conservation Science in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, where his research focuses on how to reconcile biodiversity conservation with meeting human food needs and other land-demanding activities; the costs and benefits of retaining intact ecosystems; and what works in conservation. He works primarily in the Global South and collaborates closely with conservation practitioners and with colleagues in other disciplines, including economics and psychology.

In his book Wild Hope he argues that cautious, evidence-based optimism is vital in tackling environmental challenges. Andrew helped establish the Student Conference on Conservation Science, the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, and Earth Optimism.

Andrew was appointed as a trustee in December 2022.

Philip Shapiro

Trustee

Philip is the founder and Managing Partner of Synova, a leading investor into UK companies, where he focusses on helping businesses achieve strong sustainable growth.

Philip has a long-standing passion for nature and conservation, supporting conservation projects across Central and South America. He is also a keen wildlife photographer and diver and has traveled widely across the Americas, Africa and Asia.

Philip was delighted to be appointed as a trustee in December 2022.

Lawrence Simanowitz

Trustee 

Lawrie Simanowitz is a partner in the charities team at law firm Bates Wells where he supports and advises many environmental charities. Bates Wells was the first law firm to become a B-corps and has strong credentials on carbon emissions.

Lawrie lives in North London, but loves hiking in the British countryside. Last year he joined with two friends to set up a Community Interest Company which has bought low grade farmland in Somerset adjoining a site of ancient woodland, on which they plan to plant 7,000 trees to sequester carbon and encourage greater biodiversity.