Brian’s involvement with the charity dates back more than 20 years when he was working for BT, which as a then sponsor of one of the charity’s programmes, provided for him to spend some time with the organisation. As well as general business advice, drawing on his experience in starting up new corporate ventures for the company, he assisted with fundraising. In this capacity he played a substantial role in securing more than £400,000 for a National Lottery funded Millennium Awards scheme.

With the charity’s relocation to the West Country and the increasing demands of Brian’s career, the relationship lapsed for a number of years. Having taken early retirement, Brian embarked on a programme of study, first securing a BA in Humanities and Art History from the Open University and then an MA in the History of Art at Birkbeck College. During this time he also acted as a trustee for two local charities in Guildford, where he was then living, and carried out voluntary work assisting with classes for adults with learning disabilities. He also participated in a number of nature conservation projects, which took him to Siberia, Brazil, Oman and the Hebrides; these trips reinforced his sense of the adverse impact of human activity on such very diverse parts of the environment.

Brian is delighted to have been appointed as a trustee of Better Planet Education and has relished the opportunity to once again support its invaluable work. As well as enjoying the natural world his interests include cycling, walking and cricket, and he enjoys most things Italian. He has two sons and delights in his two grandchildren

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