Richard joins the Trust from mental health charity Rethink Mental Illness, where he was Head of Performance & Impact and led work to understand and improve the organisation’s impact and brings with him experience of using research and evidence to understand outcomes and inform decisions form his PhD from Keele University. 

In his new role, Richard will lead the Trust’s work on evidence, insight and performance, building on the strong foundation of data collection, monitoring, research and evaluation already taking place across the organisation. As a member of the senior leadership team, he will help turn that evidence into practical learning and ensure insight informs the Trust’s priorities and decisions. 

The newly created role reflects the Trust’s growing commitment to demonstrating the difference its evidence-led nature recovery work makes for nature and people as part of its ambitious 2030 Vision for a Wilder Derbyshire. 

From wildlife recording and monitoring changes in habitats, to evaluating restoration and recovery projects and understanding how people engage with nature, the Trust already generates and holds a wealth of information. Bringing more of this evidence together and making greater use of it can help identify what is working, where change is happening, where approaches can be improved and how evidence can guide future nature recovery. The role will also explore how the Trust’s expertise in evidence, monitoring and insight can support partners working for nature’s recovery. 

The Derbyshire Biological Records Centre, hosted by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, provides one example of this longstanding work. Its extensive collection of wildlife records helps build understanding of the county’s biodiversity and supports conservation planning, research and decision making. The Centre has now collated more than 3.8 million species records, making information available to recorders, scientists, researchers and decision makers. 

The Trust’s State of Nature report also demonstrates the value of bringing together data from across Derbyshire to understand changes in wildlife populations, identify the pressures facing nature and inform the action needed to restore it. 

Speaking about his role, Richard said: 

“I’m delighted to be joining Derbyshire Wildlife Trust at such an important time. Wilder 2030 sets out a bold vision for a Derbyshire where people and wildlife thrive together, and evidence has a vital role in making that vision a reality. 

“Good evidence helps us understand what is genuinely making a difference for wildlife and people. The Trust already has a wealth of knowledge from its research, monitoring and work with communities. I want to help bring that knowledge together so colleagues and partners can learn from it, make informed decisions and improve what we do. 

“I’m looking forward to working with the team and sharing our expertise more widely to support nature’s recovery across Derbyshire.” 

For more information about how Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is making a difference for nature and people, visit www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/our-impact.