Candidate for Trustee

James is an experienced board member, former media CEO & editor and communications professional. By professional training, he is a broadcast journalist, starting as a news trainee at the BBC, and then progressing to running the radio newsroom in Jersey. He left to start his own PR & communications agency, focussing initially on media relations and training. James then co-founded and edited Bailiwick Express in Jersey and Guernsey - the first new daily news platform in the islands since the early 1990s - and Connect Magazine, followed by Bailiwick Radio and Bailiwick Podcasts. That led to a merger with the JEP, and becoming CEO of the combined All Island Media group, where his remit was to deliver the overall growth strategy for the business, and work with colleagues to achieve digital change, modernisation and expansion – during that period, he also held the role of Editor of the JEP. He is a past-President of the Jersey Chamber of Commerce, and one of the founding non-executive directors of Jersey Business Ltd. James also sat on the Government's disability steering group.

James has been a partner of the international law firm Latham & Watkins for more than 25 years, working for clients including major international bank, asset managers, corporates and private equity firms in international fiancé and restructuring across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Before that he was a partner at Weil and did his years as an associate at Clifford Chance and Freshfields. Both his Latham and Weil experience have given James’ years of experience in team building, business development, firm cultural maintenance and development and employee review and promotions. He has always been known for giving pragmatic and commercial advice. James has been a strong participant in the pro bono work done by Latham, where he has worked for clients in the conservation, arts, diversity and women’s rights sectors. James has also recently been appointed to the Court of the City of London Solicitors Company.”

Gillian has held senior and board member roles in a range of organisations:  global and local, commercial and not for profit, large and small.  She was responsible for the people strategies that allow organisations to adapt to new opportunities and challenges. Gillian’s career began with an international bank in London and subsequently in Brazil and the US. She held human resources director positions for Asia and for North America, Europe and Japan. Later she ran operations for the UK’s international development finance body with investments across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Involvement in managing this portfolio brought experience of struggling habitats and conflicts between people and biodiversity. Using this experience, Gillian was appointed to the statutory body overseeing the environmental and social actions of a UK government department. Gillian has acted for over 20 years as a trustee of UK and Jersey charities and additionally worked as a philanthropy advisor to support donors with their charitable giving.”

Ever since being an odd six-year old with pockets full of ‘stuff’, Andy read about Gerry’s adventures on animal collecting trips, like, Three Singles to Adventure and his struggles with finding a home for his own collection of animals in Menagerie Manor. These books were how Andy learnt to read and how he learned that there were so many awesome creatures in this world. Andy’s favourite book is The Aye-Aye and I. There was just something about the Aye-Aye that he found irresistibly mysterious, although couldn’t quite put his finger on it – because he doesn’t have a digit that long or bony. Being different has given Andy an additional insight into how the world around him works. Being ‘different’ is a challenge that he never let hold him back, even thought his peers see his difference as being a problem, he sees it as an unfair advantage.”

Sharon bring a unique blend of hands-on conservation awareness and natural communication gifts to the Durrell mission. With over two decades as an early childhood educator, she understands how to inspire wonder and environmental stewardship across generations. Her global perspective – shaped by years living across North America and deep study of ecological interconnection – informs a holistic approach to conservation work. She has cultivated meaningful relationships with wildlife throughout her life, from being raised on a farm and handling cattle as a business in adulthood, to rehabilitating injured animals and observing migratory patterns and ecosystem relationships. Her passion for Durrell’s work stems from profound belief that conservation requires both scientific rigor and the ability to communicate preservation’s urgency in ways that move hears – and from innate love for all creatures. She brings strategic thinking, collaborative spirit and genuine enthusiasm for amplifying Durrell’s mission of species recovery and habitat protection and is ready to serve with dedication, insight and unwavering commitment.

Born in Newcastle, spent 2 years at school in Australia. Then Grammar School in UK. First Degrees: Medicine, Trinity College, Cambridge. 16 years in RAF: Nimrod Captain. Managed an intelligence capability (awarded MBE), then the Nimrod Software team. Worked for Rockwell & Boeing for 10 years: set up Boeing’s UK subsidiary, was its first MD. MBA (Reading). Consultancy: Director in KPMG’s HR advisory practice: managed their largest contract. Ran major change programmes for NHS and for BT in 27 countries in the US, Europe, India (won Management Consultancies Association’s International Award in 2011). Last full time role: MD of consultancy with work in East Africa, Oman, Bahrain, Afghanistan. Later, Governor, Head of Finance and Chair of Trustees for Frensham Heights School. Currently Chair of 206 Sqn Association and  corporate advisor/HR assessor for SE Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. Languages: French, Greek, Italian and Arabic. Hobby: restoring classic cars.