Durrell Trust Leadership Advises Dissatisfied Members to Reconsider Affiliation

Members of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust who do not support the organization’s leadership have been advised to evaluate their membership status. This recommendation was made by Matthew Hatchwell, chairman of the board of trustees for Jersey Zoo, in a statement released following the trust’s annual meeting. Mr. Hatchwell characterized the past year as “a year like no other,” noting that some members had called for the resignation of the board of directors in the Spring, citing allegations of mismanagement. “Anyone who didn’t feel they could back the board should reflect on whether a membership is the right fit for them,” stated Mr. Hatchwell. He further asserted that “a campaign against the trust” had resulted in “unsustainable demand on its time and resources.” The trust announced on Friday the appointment of Rebecca Brewer as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). She will be responsible for leading the organization’s efforts to save animal species from extinction, having previously served as Durrell’s interim CEO. Ms. Brewer commented, “I am proud to be given the opportunity to lead Durrell. “I am truly excited for our next chapter and to build on our incredible success to develop a wilder, healthier and more colourful world for both people and wildlife.”” An organizational spokesperson noted that Ms. Brewer had already navigated the organization through a difficult period. The spokesperson added, “Rebecca’s new role at Durrell perfectly combines her passion for wildlife and the environment with her professional experience.” Ms. Brewer commenced her tenure at Durrell in 2019 as director of finance, subsequently assuming responsibilities for commercial operations and IT in 2020. Before joining Durrell, she worked for PwC for 15 years as a chartered accountant, where she provided assurance and advisory services to various global financial services, hospitality, and leisure clients. In 2017, she undertook a sabbatical to participate in wildlife conservation volunteer projects in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.