Ian Barrett

Chief Executive

I’m a charity Director who loves bringing together partnerships to create better places for people and wildlife. Highlights include putting together the UK Government’s Green Infrastructure Partnership and The Big Tree Plant, which has now planted over a million trees in communities across England.

I started off in sales and retail management, where I expanded and relocated bookshops and learned the basics of business development. I then gained a place in the Civil Service Fast Stream and spent twelve years working on environmental conservation, leading policy teams and working with ministers, officials and NGOs in the UK and Europe. I have worked on several organisational strategy, restructuring and realignment projects, including as Deputy Head of Secretariat to the Independent Panel on Forestry. I’ve led work on strategic communications in a number of roles, including six months co-ordinating Departmental planning on strategic communications and attending weekly communications grid planning meetings in 10 Downing Street.

In my last role I led a regional team of over 50 people in Sustrans, managing around £2.5m of practical projects each year to make it easier for people to travel in ways that are good for their health and the environment. I’m continuing to build partnerships through the Bristol Green Capital Partnership, where I’ve led work to develop a shared vision for transport for Bristol and I’m actively involved in developing and strengthening the Partnership CIC.

ian.barrett@avonwildlifetrust.org.uk
0117 9177 270
www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk