Martin Harper, the RSPB’s Conservation Director, will be moving to BirdLife International in May to become the Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia.
I recruited Martin to the RSPB 17 years ago, from Plantlife, and he has done a fine job through the whole of that period, the last 10 years of which have been as Conservation Director. Those 10 years have been during the difficult period of a Conservative or coalition government with little interest in the environment, wildlife or telling the truth – that has made the job of NGOs really very difficult. I’m not at all sure that the environment movement as a whole has really developed the right ways to tackle the now long-running problem of the Westminster government – but that is a much wider problem for the sector as a whole rather than just for Martin’s role.
Martin’s new role in helping over 40 disparate wildlife conservation organisations under the BirdLife banner to make a difference is a further challenge, but he has the drive and the diplomatic skills to carry it off with aplomb. Martin’s new field of operation will span from the Azores to the point where Kazakhstan abuts with both Russia and China, and from the bit of Iceland which sits on the North American continental shelf to the Mediterranean where Europe an Africa join. That ought to keep him busy.
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Is the RSPB recruiting for a successor or is the post to be deleted?
Question: Are all the (Likes ) because he’s going? At least we now know what else he was doing whilst being furloughed besides topping up his suntan. I’ve no doubt ineffective MKll will soon be installed!
Thomas – that’s just rude
And inaccurate, and I have never been Martin’s biggest fan ( been too much of a gentleman with the pro shoot organisations who pretend to be gentlefolk but most definitely are not and behave accordingly) but Bickerton is as usual talking bollocks.
Martin has done brilliantly for the RSPB and was a superb recruit for them, (well done Mark). He will be very much missed by the RSPB but their loss is definitely Birdlife’s gain. As you say Mark he has a lot of abilities with his diplomatic skills and incisive mind.
I have thought for some time that the skills of those in the RSPB would be better directed, at least to a degree, and for the time being,, towards more listening and sympathetic governments away from Westminster, rather than wasting too.much time with the bunch of cowboys there that deceive all a long the line. (As Churchill said (“let them do their worst and we will do our best”).
The potential for helping birds and nature in Europe and eastern Asian, such as places like the Caucuses is enormous and I am sure he will receive a sympathetic reception from Governments. ( Don’t waste your time with the deceivers at Westminster.)
Good luck Martin your role will be very important for nature.
A section in Martin’s own blog answers my question: “For the next two months though, I shall continue to focus on the RSPB and help Beccy with the transition. Plans for recruiting my successor will be shared in due course. Do look out for the ad because it is a fabulous job.”