Members are invited to participate in the Trustee Election to the Board of Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. There is 1 candidate standing for election for the one vacant position on the Board. Each member is entitled to one vote per vacant position (1 vote).
Members are reminded that they can only participate in the Trustee Election in advance of the AGM by submitting their ballot paper online by 23:59 on Thursday 18 September. Members will have received a letter (sent: 15/08/2025) or email (sent: 22/08/2025) from Civica Election Services with instructions on how to vote.
If you have any queries about the voting process, please read the FAQs.
Trustee Selection Process
For this AGM, we enlisted the support of 2 independent panel members to sit alongside Durrell’s Governance Committee during the interview process. The independent panel members included a client partner at a digital agency with over 24 years’ experience in search and digital marketing and the former Chief Executive of a national marketing agency with over 50 years’ experience. The final candidate being recommended was decided by the Board with advice from the Governance Committee, as required by the Trust’s rules.
Recommended Candidate
When making their recommendation, the Board has taken into consideration the depth and breadth of skills offered by individuals, how these fit with the desired skills and attributes and the Board’s capacity and potential for growth.
The Governance Committee has recommended one nominee who they believe is the best candidate for the Board.
The recommended candidate's personal statement is written in their own words and is accompanied by a statement from the Governance Committee explaining their reasoning for recommendation.
James van Thiel
Recommended for: Brand Effectiveness and Digital Media
Personal Statement
With over 30 years of executive experience, James has a proven track record in digital marketing, sales, services, and support at leading companies in the UK and the Netherlands, including 18 years spearheading customer-facing teams in Google's advertising business across EMEA. His passion extends to promoting STEM education and fostering startup communities having launched successful initiatives and sat on the advisory boards with the Netherlands Science Centre NEMO and The Next Web. A graduate in Business Studies from City University Business School, he spent the first part of his career in the travel industry starting at British Airways Plc.
A native of the Netherlands, James’s strong familial connection to Jersey and lifelong visits to Jersey Zoo, both as a child and with his own children, have fuelled a desire to contribute to the environment and wildlife conservation. He is eager to leverage his extensive business acumen to contribute significantly to Durrell’s vital mission.
Governance Committee Statement
James has spent 18 years at Google, including as managing director for Google Ads Services for Northern Europe, Middle East, Africa and UK Ireland, focusing on, amongst other things, driving digital transformation for large organisations. James brings a wealth of digital and brand expertise, alongside extensive experience and contacts from one of the world's largest tech companies.
Self-nominated candidates
With only one position available, not all applicants could be recommended. Candidates who did not make it through the selection process were given the option to self-nominate and still stand for election.
No candidates proceeded with the self-nominate option this year.
Members are reminded that they can only participate in the Trustee Election in advance of the AGM by submitting their ballot online.
For your vote to be valid, the Trust must receive your vote no later than 23:59 on Thursday 18 September.
If you have any queries about the voting process, please read the FAQs.