05 May 2017

GWCT appoints a new director in Wales

Sue EvansSue Evans has been appointed director at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Cymru (GWCT Cymru).

Sue will be at the forefront of engaging and reconnecting with the Trust’s members.  

“I am very excited by the opportunity to extend the GWCT’s role in Wales. I believe that a science-based approach will be greatly welcomed,” said Sue, whose head office is in Cardiff but will be mainly operating from mid-Wales. 

Sue, who has been assisting the charity on Welsh policy since September, has recently provided written evidence to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) towards its review of the “Use of Shooting on land managed by Natural Resources Wales”.

Looking to the future, she will be offering guidance on rural policy and practice in the wake of Brexit.

Sue added: “I am passionate about Wales and believe that farmers, gamekeepers and others working on the ground are the ones who can deliver the best outcomes for conservation in the UK.”

GWCT Cymru chairman, Nick Williams, said: "When it comes to robust conservation research and policy, Wales is not having the influence it could or should have in UK terms.

“When we look at what our country has to offer, it is beholden upon us to make sure we change that. Sue's appointment is our commitment to help ensure Wales starts punching above its weight.”

Some of the events planned include three shoot walks with head of education Mike Swan, providing a fantastic opportunity to explore game management and how habitat and predator management along with careful feeding and release strategies can produce superb pheasant and partridge shooting along with improved biodiversity.

The walks will take place at Coed Coch, Dolwen, Denbigshire on Tuesday, May 30; Blaen Nedd, Ystrdafellte near Neath on Wednesday, May 31; and Portcasseg, St Arvans on Tuesday, June 13.

Other GWCT work in Wales includes; satellite tagging woodcock as well as previously joining forces with the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) to secure £250,000 for two large scale moorland restoration projects.

Sue continued: “It’s great to be working with experts who are not only focused on the beautiful Welsh mountains moors and lowlands but also have the expertise to help increase the numbers of fish stock in our rivers with improved aquatic and riparian biodiversity which is particularly necessary after recent pollution incidents in rivers.”

GWCT chief executive, Teresa Dent, said: “At a time when the countryside, conservation, country sports, rural policy and practice are facing big changes, in the light of Brexit, it is vital that we work more closely with our members and partner organisations.”

Sue Evans info

Following a degree in rural enterprise and land management at Harper Adams University, Sue went on to become a chartered surveyor working in estate management.  

She left the UK for 18 months, travelling and visiting different cultures and doing practical farming jobs.

Shortly after her return, she set up her own company and trained as a mediator with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.  

As well as continuing to work in estate management, Sue then moved into lobbying and policy work just as Wales was beginning to get devolved powers.  

She was invited to undertake a contract for two years as senior adviser to the Natural Resources Management team in Welsh Government. Part of her role included work setting up and delivering the Nature Fund in Wales which demonstrated the potential for bottom up delivery of Natural Resource Management.

Now, she is undertaking a Nuffield Scholarship looking into better ways of influencing government in their creation of policy and regulation.


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