Written by Jo Judge
After nearly five years in the privileged position as the Chief Executive of the NBN Trust, I have taken the difficult decision to move on to a new opportunity. It has at times had its unique challenges, but I hope that you will agree that we have seen some great strides forward over the time I’ve been here.
The biggest change was without a doubt the transition from the NBN Gateway to the NBN Atlas. Getting the NBN Atlas up and running in my first year was a challenge, but one that the whole NBN Trust team rose to, ensuring that the infrastructure was in place, on time, on 1 April 2017. Since its launch, we have been collecting feedback and implementing improvements where we can, to develop the NBN Atlas towards being a truly great tool for everyone who collects, shares and uses data about biodiversity in the UK. The Trust is still on this exciting journey and I hope they will be able to access the resources it needs in the future to really drive the NBN Atlas forward.
The thing that really makes the NBN Trust and Network unique is the involvement of everyone from individual recorders to large conservation charities and government agencies. I can’t claim that we have all always seen eye to eye on every subject, which would be impossible with such a large and diverse community, but the passion and enthusiasm displayed at all levels is to be commended. As I have said on multiple occasions, the biodiversity data sector is stronger for the involvement of everyone in the Network and through collaboration the Network can be so much more than the sum of its parts. By working together, improvements and advances can be made to ensure that the data is available for biodiversity to be central to learning and decision making about the natural environment.
I must say a big thank you to the NBN Trust team, they are hard working and dedicated to making the Trust and the Network the best they can be. It is easy to forget that the NBN Trust team is so small given the volume of work they produce. It has been a pleasure to work with them. I would also like to thank the dedicated volunteers that make up the NBN Trust Board of Trustees, I have really enjoyed working with them and am confident that under their strategic direction the NBN Trust will continue to flourish.
I have no doubt that the next CEO will bring fresh ideas and build on the work that has already been done to develop the NBN Trust strategy, to really drive the Trust forward over the next five years and beyond. I wish them, the team and everyone involved with the NBN Trust and Network great success. I sincerely hope that our paths will cross again in the not too distant future.
Interim CEO
As we recruit a new Chief Executive, Mandy Henshall, the NBN Trust’s Senior Communications Officer, has stepped into the role on an interim basis.