Beaver Trust is pleased to announce a significant transition in its leadership as founding chair Dr. Alasdair Harris steps down from the board of trustees. Victoria Heffer, a Trustee since 2021, has been appointed as the new Chair following an open recruitment process. The charity has also appointed nature conservation professional Katy Barke to the newly created role of Vice Chair, strengthening its governance as it embarks on an exciting new chapter.
Since its founding in 2019, Beaver Trust has been at the forefront of efforts to bring beavers back to Britain and secure legal protections for this keystone species. The charity has played a pivotal role in reintroducing beavers to watercourses across the country, helping to restore wetlands, reduce flooding and drought and boost biodiversity. Reflecting on his time with the charity, Alasdair Harris said:
“When we created Beaver Trust, our goal was simple yet urgent: to bring beavers back to Britain and secure their role as ecosystem engineers. Six years later, we now see beavers thriving across Britain, and this incredible progress is a testament to the tireless work and vision of our stellar team.”
Alasdair expressed his confidence in the new leadership team, adding: “I am thrilled to pass the baton to Victoria Heffer, who has been a driving force behind the charity’s growth since she joined our board, and will lead us into an exciting next chapter. Congratulations also to Katy Barke in her new role as Vice Chair—Beaver Trust is in great hands.”
Incoming Chair Victoria Heffer, who recently announced her new position as Chief Executive of Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, has brought valuable expertise from the corporate sector and continues to rewild her hill farm in the Black Mountains. She shared her excitement for the new role:
“It’s an honour to step into this role and continue building on the incredible foundation laid by Al and the team. Beavers are transforming Britain’s landscapes and ecosystems, and I look forward to working with our team, partners, and communities to scale this impact and secure their place in our natural heritage.”
Katy Barke brings noted experience in species conservation and reintroductions, having worked with red squirrels, ospreys, water voles, and other species. She is currently part of a team exploring the social acceptability of reintroducing the lynx to northern England and is focused on the opportunity for landscape-scale nature recovery through her work at Northumberland Wildlife Trust. Katy commented:
“I’m delighted to take on the role of Vice Chair at such a pivotal moment for Beaver Trust. It’s an exciting time for the charity and the wider movement to restore Britain’s rivers and wetlands.”
Highlighting the importance of this role in governance, Beaver Trust CEO Sandra King thanked the outgoing chair, stating,
“Alasdair has brought much-valued and ambitious leadership to the trust since the very beginning and, on behalf of the wider team, I’d like to thank him for his energy and insight. We will be ever grateful for his dedication to the mission.”
She also welcomed Katy and Victoria to their new roles, saying: “With growing momentum for beaver reintroduction across Britain, our focus now is on securing lasting legal protections for these remarkable ecosystem engineers. At the same time, we are working with communities to ensure coexistence and sustainable stewardship. Under Victoria’s leadership, I’m confident Beaver Trust will continue driving meaningful change toward our vision of thriving waterways vibrant with life, where beavers are embraced as a vital part of our biodiverse landscape.”
With wild releases now taking place across Scotland and growing recognition of beavers’ ecological value, Beaver Trust is optimistic that England and Wales will soon implement similar reintroduction efforts. The charity remains committed to driving progress and inspiring action to create healthier, more resilient ecosystems across Britain.
