Martin Harper has been appointed as the new CEO of BirdLife International. Martin has spent many years supporting the growth and development of CCI. He initially joined CCI Council whilst in a former role as RSPB Global Conservation Director. In 2021, he joined BirdLife as Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia and shortly afterwards rejoined the CCI Council this time as the BirdLife representative.

As an experienced advocate and communicator, Martin will work with his leadership team to implement the ambitious BirdLife strategy that was agreed at BirdLife’s centenary celebrations last year. Martin Harper said “I am honoured to lead BirdLife International in this crucial decade.  Having been part of the BirdLife family for the past 19 years, I have seen the power of our Partnership acting both nationally and together globally to tackle the nature and climate emergency.

I will do everything that I can to ensure that the BirdLife Secretariat mobilises its exceptional science to inspire action while bolstering the collective capacity and capability of our 120 Partners operating in 116 countries so that together we project hope, optimism and confidence that our own species can live in harmony with the rest of nature.”

Dr David Gibbons, Interim Executive Director of CCI said “With nearly three decades of experience of conservation leadership, Martin is an excellent appointment for BirdLife International. I have worked with Martin for two of those decades and have always found him inspirational and visionary, with great clarity of thought, empathetic to those around him and a joy to work with. BirdLife’s endeavours to protect the biodiversity of our planet at this critical time are more important than ever and, with Martin at the helm, I am sure we can expect big things from them in the coming years.”

Having been Interim CEO since the departure of Patricia Zurita in June 2023, Martin starts his new role with immediate effect. The CCI community congratulate Martin on his appointment.

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