A NEW chair of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s board of trustees has been appointed.

Phil Heads has taken on the role, bringing a wealth of experience in environmental research, policy, and governance to the position.

Dr Heads is seasoned ecologist and strategic advisor, holding a doctorate in ecology and a master’s in business administration.

He takes over from Mark Street, who served as chair for seven years.

With a distinguished career spanning academia and government, Phil has held positions with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and the Natural Environment Research Council (now part of the science funding body UK Research and Innovation) with responsibility for Strategy and Evidence.

Phil has been a member of Wiltshire Wildlife Trusts for more than two decades, and says his spiritual home is on the chalk downs with skylarks singing above.

Now retired from full-time work, he is eager to dedicate more time to improving the health of Wiltshire’s environment for the benefit of both nature and people, the charity said, having joined WWT’s Conservation Policy Committee in 2021 and was elected as a Trustee in 2023.

“I’m excited and honoured to be elected as Chair of an organisation that works for and with everyone in Wiltshire and Swindon to promote nature recovery for people’s wellbeing while helping us live and do business more sustainably,” he said.

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“We face complex and interlinked environmental, social and economic challenges such as: climate change; biodiversity loss; environmental pollution and degradation; poor public health; low economic productivity and growth.

“Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is committed to working in partnership with local communities, public bodies and private interests to deliver nature-based solutions that work for everyone.

“I’d like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Mark Street, who wisely guided the Trust through a period of growth and development for seven years.

“Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and Avian Bird Flu, the Trust delivered a whole series of major projects and successful outcomes for nature, people, and local economies under his chairmanship.”

Jo Lewis, chief executive of the Trust, added: “We are thrilled to welcome Phil Heads as our new chair. His strategic vision and deep commitment to working through partnerships will be invaluable as we navigate the complex challenges facing Wiltshire’s wildlife.

“We look forward to working with him to restore nature’s abundance and connect people with nature in our special county.”