Press Releases - March/April 2007
Item 2

No. 2007/03/19
March 2007

New Director for National Bird Charity

Dr Andy Clements will replace Professor Jeremy Greenwood as Director of the British Trust for Ornithology when Jeremy retires in September.

Dr Stephen Hunter, the Chair of the Council of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) today announced the appointment of Dr Andy Clements as Director Designate of the BTO. “I am delighted to announce that the new Director Designate of the BTO is Dr Andy Clements. Andy spent fifteen years at English Nature, latterly as Director of Protected Areas, and subsequently at Natural England as Director of Science, Evidence and Policy. He is a lifelong birdwatcher and BTO supporter. In his spare time, as well as undertaking bird survey work near his home in Cambridgeshire, he leads tours for birdwatchers in India, Africa and South America. Andy has served on the Oriental Bird Club’s Conservation Committee and has published papers about Asian birds and bird behaviour. Andy will take up his post in September, when Jeremy retires.” (Brief CV below)

Speaking about his new appointment, Dr Clements said: “I am delighted to be asked to lead the BTO. The partnership of birdwatchers and scientists fostered at the BTO is a powerful alliance, delivering knowledge of our birds and their habitats into the heart of decision-making about the environment. It is a challenging and exciting time to take on the role of Director, just as work on Bird Atlas 2007-11, a complete stock-take of the birds of Britain and Ireland, is due to start. Jeremy Greenwood will leave a remarkable legacy of a healthy and vibrant organisation, and I aim to continue the BTO's growth.”

Professor Jeremy Greenwood, who has been the BTO’s Director since 1988, has overseen a huge growth in the Trust’s membership, managed the move from Tring (Hertfordshire) to The Nunnery in Thetford (Norfolk) and developed BTO Scotland, in Stirling. Speaking of the new appointment, Professor Greenwood said: “I am very pleased that someone with such a wealth of experience is keen to take on the role of Director of the British Trust for Ornithology. The survey and research work of the BTO is based on a unique partnership of birdwatchers and scientists and Andy, who has a professional background in conservation management and a lifelong interest in birds, is well placed to take the Trust forwards.”

Brief biography

• Dr Andy Clements is married and has two children. He lives in Cambridge.
• Andy was educated at University of Wales obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree (1976) and PhD in Zoology (1980) before starting his career lecturing in Zoology. He joined Nature Conservancy Council in 1982 and contributed to fieldwork knowledge on upland birds.
• During his career with NCC and subsequently English Nature, Andy was a conservation officer in Hertfordshire, Head of Science for the Southern Region and European Officer, working to implement standard practices to protect nature across Europe.
• Dr Clements spent four years in the Department of Environment, licensing registered keepers of birds of prey and advising Customs and Excise on the trade in endangered species under the CITES convention
• As a General Manager, Andy led English Nature’s external communications programme and initiated the emphasis on people and wildlife: Reconnecting people with nature. He developed relationships with Lottery Funding which enabled the English Nature/New Opportunities Fund partnership on Wildscape!, a £6m grant scheme delivering community areas for wildlife at the local level.
• Andy was Director - Protected Areas, with overall responsibility for English Nature’s programme of protected areas. This includes Sites of Special Scientific Interest, International sites and National Nature Reserves.
• Andy was seconded to Natural England in 2006. As Director - Science Evidence & Policy, he selected the new senior management team, set & published strategy and determined science & policy targets.
• Andy currently runs Ferrypath Consulting Ltd, offering strategic environmental advice to clients as diverse as Naturetrek and the Anglian Water Group.

Please see over for Notes for Editors

Notes for Editors

1. The BTO is a unique partnership of birdwatchers and scientists. About 30,000 birdwatchers contribute records to national surveys each year. Staff at the BTO’s HQ in Thetford, Norfolk, and at BTO Scotland analyse their findings and produce national statistics that are used by government and conservation organisations. As well as surveys, the BTO runs the national bird ringing scheme for Britain and Ireland and undertakes research into Britain’s birds and their habitats. There are ninety staff in Thetford and a further nine in Stirling.
2. The BTO is a charity with a turnover of just under four million pounds each year.
3. The Patron of the BTO is HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT. The BTO’s President is Baroness Young of Old Scone, The Chief Executive of the Environment Agency and former Chief Executive of RSPB.
4. A photograph of Dr Clements is available from please quote reference 2007/03/19.
5. Interviews can be arranged via or by phoning the Press Office on 01842 750050.