As mentioned briefly in the NBN Conference report, we were delighted to present two Honorary Membership Awards this year. One of these was for Dr James Munford, who many of you will know as having recently stepped down as CEO of the NBN Trust, the second was for a lady who the Trust was pleased to acknowledge for her ‘behind the scenes’ contribution to the NBN, Val Burton.
Dr James Munford
Jim Munford came to the National Biodiversity Network Trust as Programme Director (later Chief Executive Officer) in 2000, having been seconded by Scottish Natural Heritage as the main part of their contribution to the establishment of the National Biodiversity Network, under an NBN partnership agreement.
Jim had been principal Grants Officer for SNH for some time, and was well used to the machinery of operation in a large corporate Government Conservation Agency. He had also been a marine biologist by training, and had experience across Europe with fisheries management. His view of the NBN was therefore one of some corporate misgiving about such a disparate body, attempting to work across sectors to develop something completely untried and untested. But, he was willing to ‘give it a go’. He also had the wise help of the late Sir John Burnett to guide him, as Chairman of the fledgling NBN Trust, not to mention the different perspectives brought by the founding Trustees. What he found was drive, enthusiasm and above all a vision to make it work.
Jim was just the right man at the right time for the job. It required an impossible mix of conviviality, strategic vision, determination, guile and energy. He was the man, helped by his good eye for opportunities, and his belief in delegating to those who he needed to be involved. This combination of characteristics was essential when the initial bid by the NBN Consortium for funding under the Millennium Commission’s budgets failed to be supported. Several partners were doubtful about continuing, but with support from those who believed in the concept, Jim led the re-configuration of the Project.
Jim developed his own ‘persona’ in the NBN over the next 14 years. His understanding of the needs of the NBN grew, as much as his realisation that the NBN Trust’s independence was crucial to the success of the NBN, despite the need to work with key funding bodies, not least the Government. He championed the voluntary partners in the NBN especially, often at the expense of some disappointment by others.
With his retirement, the NBN has entered a new phase of development, but its potential and capabilities owe much to Jim Munford’s time ‘at the helm’, working alongside others to achieve that vision.
Val Burton
Val’s unique role in biological recording in the UK, and to the development of the NBN, has been the computerisation of more than 12 million biological records, especially keyboarding data from hand-written record cards and notebooks.
During 30 years with the Biological Records Centre, Val has worked with many changes in technology, but always requiring her remarkable ability to decipher and interpret the handwriting of thousands of volunteers associated with many national societies and schemes.
Val’s work has been specifically acknowledged by the authors of many national atlases and other publications, so it is only fitting that NBN is now able to celebrate her unique contribution.
Val was not in attendance at the NBN Conference, but one of the NBN Trustees, Paul Harding, visited Val to make the presentation to her recently.
