One of the leading lights in investment banking, David Mayhew, Vice Chairman of JPM Morgan and former Chairman of Cazenove and JPMorgan Cazenove and has recently been appointed chair of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (GWCT) fisheries research steering committee.
As a passionate fisherman in his private life, Mr Mayhew, is delighted that his experiences gained through this life-long hobby enables him to take up this important voluntary role in order to help guide the future direction of the GWCT’s important fish research.
He first came into contact with the GWCT when it was taking over the government-run Atlantic salmon research centre based on the River Frome in Dorset six years ago. David Mayhew explains, “As a keen salmon fisherman I was very impressed that the GWCT had the foresight to take over this incredibly valuable research centre, which to date has accumulated more than 40 years of data on Atlantic salmon.
“No doubt without their intervention this would have all been lost and this would have been a tragedy. It costs GWCT over £400,000 a year to maintain its research effort into salmon and trout which is an impressive achievement for a small research charity which is why I am looking forward to becoming more involved in their research and supporting their challenging fundraising efforts. Raising this sum each is an ongoing challenge for the Trust and this is where I hope to be able to help the most through my contacts and experience in the financial world and ultimately securing the long- term future of the facility.”
Mr Mayhew continues, “Although I am not a scientist, I feel that having a better understanding of what makes a healthy river environment tick is hugely important and fascinating. It is an under-researched area and this needs to be improved to protect our rivers, streams and aquatic life. I think the next four years as chairman of the GWCT’s research steering committee will be challenging but extremely enjoyable.”
Catching his first trout when he was just ten, Mr Mayhew discovered that it was a wonderfully different sport. From that moment he developed a passion and love of the whole fishing experience including its environment. He explains, “It’s done in beautiful places with wonderful unsurpassed scenery and the sport gives you a rare opportunity to appreciate this very special environment.
David part owns both banks of the prestigious Islamouth fishing beat on the Tay. “I spend a lot of my time fishing on the Tay, it is totally absorbing. I have introduced new people to this world, and I don’t know anyone that has not been enthused and excited. The Tay in particular has many different aspects, it is an astonishingly productive river in the right conditions. But I have noticed that whilst the average weight and size of salmon has been improving in the last few years the grilse run has diminished, and this is another good example of why science is so important. We need to gain a better understanding of what is happening on our rivers either through cyclical events or man-made consequences so that we can safeguard their future.”
Dylan Roberts, who heads the GWCT’s fisheries research department is delighted that David Mayhew has taken over the chairmanship of the fisheries research steering committee. He said, “David has vast experience of fishing in all its varied conditions and on a wide variety of rivers, from meandering chalk streams to the more challenging conditions of spate rivers. He brings huge knowledge and first-hand practical experience. He also has wonderful contacts and through these he will prove to be an invaluable sounding-boards that will help further our research objectives.
“In the next few years we wish to investigate a wide range of projects relating to Atlantic salmon and sea trout and this will include, for example, a study investigating the mortality rate of young salmon and sea trout through the estuarine phase of their seaward migration. We know that up to 95% of our young salmon that leave the river each spring die before their return after 1-3 years at sea and having a better understanding of how much of this mortality occurs in the estuarine phase is key. I know that Mr Mayhew will be challenging us and watching us every step of the way.”
As well as now working with JP Morgan Cazenove, David Mayhew is also a committed organic farmer and owns together with his family a 600 acre mixed farm in Hampshire. He is a life member of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and is also chairman of Alzheimer’s Research UK. Mr Mayhew will chair the first GWCT’s research steering committee meeting in the spring.
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Photocaption: David Mayhew (right, with Dylan Roberts, head of GWCT fisheries research) has been appointed chair of the GWCT’s fisheries research steering committee. Photocredit: David Walker.
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk