The Finance & Risk Committee (F&R) is responsible for financial controls, plans and reports, and risk management. The Chair of the Finance & Risk Committee sits on the Board and is supported by three Board members, including the Honorary Treasurer.
The Committee meets four times a year, normally quarterly. Urgent business may be transacted by email or teleconference.
Chair – Iain Coucher
Iain is an experienced Chief Executive who has led a number of large organisations involved in the delivery of public services in technology, infrastructure, transport and defence sectors. He is a life-long birder and is passionate about the environment and sustainability. He owns a small, coastal farm in west Scotland that he manages for the benefit of birds and other wildlife.
He has been a trustee of a global environmental charity, Earthwatch (Europe) for around six years. He is committed to continual learning and, over the last decade has completed Masters degrees in Environmental Decision Making and in Systems Thinking (with a focus on climate change and ocean acidification). He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Cranfield University, in 2019.
Jane Miller – Treasurer
Jane is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and has worked in the Telecoms, Retail Banking and Insurance industries in both the UK, the US and New Zealand. She has experience in line finance, programme management, transformation, regulatory change and business optimisation.
Jane lives on the Suffolk coast and has a strong interest in waders and coastal birds. She is keen to bring her business experience to help BTO achieve its strategic aims.
Dr Rachel Thomas
Rachel is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Adult Psychotherapist by background with more than 30 years of clinical and management experience. She has worked in many and varied senior leadership roles within the healthcare sector since the early 1990s, both in the NHS and for NGOs. She has been a Director of Services, a Company Director and a CEO.
Most recently, Rachel founded and is Director of her own company, undertaking complex mental health assessments for the UK Tribunals Service. Her background in social science has led to her involvement in both small and large-scale research projects, including a doctoral dissertation using qualitative methodology and as the Research Clinician for a reputable NHS Randomised Control Trial.
Rachel has been a nature lover, particularly in relation to birds, and a keen conservationist from a young age and has undertaken both practical and public-facing conservation work as a volunteer over many years for organisations such as the RSPB, TCV and WWT. She has a close connection with Norfolk and is a frequent visitor with a particular interest in wading and coastal birds.
Joel Ziff
Joel is a Partner at Clifford Chance, the international law firm, specialising in Mergers and Acquisitions. He is responsible for Clifford Chance's pro bono relationship with the RSPB.
Before joining Clifford Chance, Joel worked as a manager in the NHS. He has been a keen birder for more than 50 years.