Tom Meagher has been appointed as the interim Chair of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC).

His appointment will take effect from 1 January 2025 until 30 June 2025 or until a substantive Chair is appointed, following completion of the public appointment process. He replaces Cath Denholm, who was appointed Interim Chair in March 2024.

Tom’s interim appointment was made as an exceptional appointment without competition, following consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Biography

• Tom Meagher has been a member of the JNCC since April 2021.
• He is Professor of Plant Biology at the University of St Andrews and served as Director of the St Andrews Global Challenges Forum.
• He was previously a member of the Defra Science Advisory Committee and the Natural Environment Research Council.
• Tom leads an international and interdisciplinary initiative developing novel remote sensing technology to aid the assessment and conservation of plant biodiversity. He has also worked with the British Council, the British Embassy Lima, and government agencies in Peru promoting the establishment of a national botanic garden and plant biodiversity initiative.
• He has been an active contributor to the Scottish Government’s environmental and conservation science strategy, following his former role as a Trustee of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee

• As the UK’s statutory advisor on nature, the JNCC provides robust scientific evidence and advice to the devolved governments of the UK, the UK government, and the UK’s Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, to help decision makers turn science into action for nature.
• For over 30 years, the JNCC’s trusted expertise, dedication and skills have driven nature conservation and recovery. Through its strategy, Together for Nature, and values of inclusion, collaboration and innovation, the JNCC is committed to being a good ancestor.