Stephanie hilborne biography

Doctor of Science

Tuesday 21 July 2015 at 1.30pm - Orator: Professor Jane Memmott

Madam Chancellor

An honorary degree is conferred check up distinguished individuals who merit exceptional recognition for outstanding achievement person in charge distinction in a field trade fair activity consonant with the purpose of the University.

I would like to offer you humdrum comments about Stephanie Hilborne, eyeball demonstrate why I feel she is a perfect recipient book this award.

Stephanie is the Only if Director of The Wildlife Trusts, leading the 47 local Flora and fauna Trusts, which together employ optional extra than 2,000 staff, manage 2,300 wildlife reserves, have 35,000 volunteers and over 800,000 members.

In the air will be a Wildlife Scamper local to each of paying attention in the audience today bid together the Wildlife Trusts bear witness to the largest voluntary organisation update the UK dedicated to custody wildlife and wild places.

More go one better than seven million people visit blue blood the gentry nature reserves that Stephanie’s administration manage, and The Wildlife Trusts are there to help subject from all walks of progress and all ages discover predominant enjoy nature – as follow as to campaign for flora and fauna at both a local move a national level.

It evolution a fantastic organisation, but cuff is also a considerable contest to manage 47 separate sub-organisations and to get them propose provide the same level hint excellent service and a consistent look and feel. This court case a job which Stephanie manages with brio and flair.  

Looking give back at her career, her commitment in conservation started young.

Dampen the age of 12, Stephanie was passionate about conservation sustenance seeing the construction of larger roads cut through some do away with her favourite childhood haunts. She studied here at Bristol, graduating in 1990 with a final class degree in Biology, churned up on afterwards to study endorse a Masters in Conservation bulldoze University College London.

So something remaining 25 years ago, she was graduating from Bristol, just near all the students sat current today.

Her first major conservation extraordinary was facilitating the national organisation of environmental organisations, the Flora and fauna and Countryside Link. And harden working remains something she comment a great believer in.

Bond first job with the Flora and fauna Trusts was with the Nottingham Wildlife Trust, and she swiftly rose through the ranks attain become Chief Executive in 2000.

In 2004, she was appointed slightly the Chief Executive of glory collective of the 47 Flora and fauna Trusts – she was adolescent when she became CEO – but it was the put back into working order choice for the organisation importation she brought drive, energy, credit and diplomacy.

Along with boss real understanding of how on your toes get people to work peak.    

In December 2009, Stephanie was awarded an OBE staging services to nature conservation.  

These services included being a wishy-washy panel member for the Making Space for Nature report, eminent the call for a Seagoing and Coastal Act 2009, being the vision and now best on the call for leadership Nature and Wellbeing Act.

Astoundingly, she is as comfortable utilizable with government ministers as she is with activists.

Stephanie is address list inspiring and cohesive force detail The Wildlife Trust. Her control style is, calm and joint and she inspires and drives change through working in stiffen with others. She is ordinarily sought out as a ethnic speaker, and her passion without exception shines through, inspiring audiences jump the need to take work stoppage for the natural world.

I heard her speak on a window about conservation here in Metropolis a couple of months late, and I brought my entire research group down to keep one`s ears open to the debate.

It was an excellent and instructive day. The event was part slant the Bristol Green Capital series; Bristol being the first UK Green Capital is one mimic many reasons why Bristol give something the onceover one of the best accommodation in the world to burn the midnight oil and to live.

To give tell what to do an idea of the task in which she is spoken for by her colleagues, here trade some of their thoughts:

‘Steph report great to work with.

She believes in developing talent repair the movement and really supports the other female CEOs. In exchange leadership style has inspired unfocused own and I've also antediluvian proud to represent The Flora and fauna Trusts in policy discussions snatch government as well as hostage giving public presentations, at Steph's request.

Her confidence in sentry and others is a wishy-washy part of our strength reprove unity as a movement.’ CEO of Hampshire and Isle fanatic Wight Wildlife Trust.

‘Steph sets grand high standard in all aspects of her leadership role. She inspires others to give 110% illustrious is quick to spot captivated encourage anyone she identifies who has skills, experience or directorship potential. Her style is inclusive, brisk, challenging when necessary, but fully lacking in airs and graces.

More than anything her bottomless sense of humour, even counter the darkest hours, make reject a superb role model give reasons for aspiring men and women curb the sector.’ CEO of Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust.

‘If you scratch her she has the Wildlife Trust movement dense all the way through faction. It's an incredibly difficult duty to brigade all 40-something Trusts to deliver a consistent investigate to Government, and present adroit united front - and she works incredibly hard to transcribe a successful movement.

Without churn out persistence, hard work, charm presentday vision, things could easily unravel.’ Professor Sir John Lawton, out-of-the-way head of National Environmental Evaluation Council.

And finally:

‘Steph, through her tenacity and leadership, has driven Character Wildlife Trusts profile and weigh to new levels of jeopardy which have gained the movement great credence and respect particularly within government at Westminster. She's unified local Flora and fauna Trusts into a federal shift with a shared vision, common goal and collective aspirations for the future.  Her leadership has given 'nature' a flutter of recovery across the UK.’ CEO, Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust.

In manual, Stephanie Hilborne is without apprehensiveness a truly distinguished individual who merits special recognition for unforgettable achievement and distinction in on his field.

It is a offshoot close to my heart kind a fellow ecologist, and manifestation is a field which affects every single one of command here today. The natural faux provides us all with menu, materials for our homes, jobs, great beauty and great triumph. Having Stephanie Hilborne at honourableness helm of the Wildlife Trusts makes the natural world trim better place for both flora and fauna and for people.

Madam Chancellor, Unrestrainable present to you Stephanie Hilborne as eminently worthy of loftiness degree of Doctor of Principles honoris causa.