DSWF appoints new CEO, Georgina Lamb

Sometimes, following in footsteps just seems right, and the Trustees of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation have invited Georgina Lamb, grand-daughter of our founder, David Shepherd CBE, to lead the charity forward as the new Chief Executive of the Foundation.

“The Board is thrilled that Georgina wishes to carry on her family’s work,” says Nigel Colne CBE, the longest-serving Trustee of DSWF. “We are enormously excited by the vision Georgina has for the future, and the energy and passion she has to achieve her ambitions for the Foundation. She understands the values of the Foundation through and through. That’s no surprise, as conservation is in Georgina’s DNA.”

In recent years, Georgina has led the Programmes and Policy team, supporting global investigations to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. She also manages DSWF’s relationships with ground-based conservation partners working to protect endangered species in Africa and Asia.

In particular, Georgina has played a pivotal role in establishing DSWF as one of the leading UK based charities supporting pangolin conservation – the most trafficked mammal in the world. Pangolins have recently been catapulted into the global media as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Now in its 36th year, DSWF continues to deliver vital funding to protect endangered species, including some of the most iconic and threatened animals on the planet such as elephants, tigers, and rhinos. A critical part of that work is to support some of the most vulnerable, impoverished and overlooked communities who live next to the magnificent wild creatures we are fighting to protect. In so doing, the Foundation can ensure that they too benefit from its conservation goals.

As Georgina, fondly known as ‘Peanut’ by many, puts it, “I feel deeply honoured to be continuing the family legacy and to be representing the brave men and women on the front line of conservation in our joint fight to end wildlife crime. The world is at a tipping point and it is within our grasp to drive forward transformative change to ensure that environmental action and impact are at the forefront of everything we do.”

Whilst Georgina brings with her new ideas for DSWF, she intends to expand on, and stay true to, the Foundation’s strong art heritage. David’s iconic paintings are loved throughout the world, and Wildlife Artist of the Year has become a noteworthy date in the annual art calendar.

The Shepherd family have created a trusted, highly respected and well-loved charity which has become a key player in the conservation field.

Had he known that the new CEO would be his grand-daughter he would have beamed with joy. David’s legacy is safe in Georgina’s expert hands.

DSWF has been under the leadership of Karen Botha, another well-known and highly respected colleague in the conservation sector. The Trustees are immensely grateful to Karen for all she has done for DSWF during her time at the helm. She leaves the Foundation in a strong position. Karen now continues her career as Managing Director at the Born Free Foundation.

Georgina becomes the new CEO today on the 9 April 2020.