BTO CEO Andy Clements to retire
15 May 2020
After 13 years at the helm of BTO, CEO Andy Clements has decided to step down and retire from full-time work. Having initially planned to depart in October this year, Andy kindly agreed to extend his stay in order to ensure consistency of leadership through the COVID- 19. He will now be leaving at Christmas, and with the recruitment process now underway, we expect that BTO will have a new CEO in post towards the end of this calendar year.
Andy joined BTO as CEO in 2007, after a distinguished career in academia and the civil service. He has overseen many changes during his time at BTO, including the establishment of our country office in Wales, the expansion of our work in Northern Ireland, the growth of commercial projects, BTO’s fruitful partnership with the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and an increase in our communications and HR capabilities.
Reflecting on his time at BTO, Andy said:
“I arrived at BTO in the summer of 2007, intending to stay no longer than ten years, but such is the draw of this organisation, its common purpose between professional ornithologists and volunteer birdwatchers, and its committed and passionate staff and Trustees, that I have found it easy to stay on. In recent years we have continued to develop as an organisation, helped by the CASS Centre for Charity Effectiveness, and many other individuals and organisations. We now have a strong purpose to integrate engagement and science, and to make the most of our knowledge by focusing on impact for decision-makers and society.
I have worked with many partners who have all helped and supported BTO, and I am very grateful to colleagues in government and agencies, other NGOs, university departments, and our friends in Europe and beyond. It is our valued constituency of 50,000 volunteers, whose data is the engine-room of our work, and whose commitment is the beating heart of BTO, to whom I am most grateful.
I have benefited from sage advice and support from many Trustees and vice-Presidents who give their time voluntarily and, in particular, by successive Chairs of our Board: Steve Hunter, Ian Newton, Tony Fox and Jenny Gill. During the transition to find a new leader for BTO, I will work with the Board and our excellent Senior Leadership Team to ensure we hand on BTO in as good health as this crisis will allow.
Thank you to all for your amazing support that has made the stewardship of BTO both a privilege and an honour.”
We will be very sorry to see Andy go, and wish him a long and happy retirement.
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