The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) is very pleased to announce that Jeremy Finnis DL has been selected as chairman-elect of GWCT. Jeremy will take over from our current chairman, Sir Jim Paice, when he steps down in July 2026.
A long-time member, Jeremy became chairman of the Essex County Committee in 2014, supporting regional efforts to fundraise for GWCT and raise awareness of the Trust. Since 2020, Jeremy has been serving as a trustee and is chairman of its Allerton Project Committee and Investment Committee, working closely with other trustees and directors to further the Trust’s work.
After reading a science degree at Oxford, his distinguished career began at the Ministry of Agriculture, where Jeremy worked initially as a field adviser, then with ministers during the UK Presidency of the EU in 1992 and later on secondment to the president of the NFU on food marketing policy. He has since served as chairman of the NFU Mutual Advisory Board for the East of England and as vice-chair of governors of Writtle University College. He was installed as Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers in 2025 and is president of the Essex CLA.
He has spent the last three decades farming a 2,500ha family partnership in South Essex with his wife and children, as well as running his family business in Scotland, Dell Estate, which includes a livestock farm, sporting and holiday lets, fishing, forestry, carbon capture, and renewable energy projects.
In addition, Jeremy is a chartered biologist, a fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Royal Agricultural Society, Royal Geographical Society, Chartered Management Institute and of the Institute of Agricultural Management - of which he was a founder member.
Jeremy comments: “I am honoured and delighted to be taking on the role of chairman of the GWCT at a time when its mission for nature and biodiversity is more important than ever. I am a long-term supporter of the inspiring and impactful work of the Trust, and I am relishing the challenge of this new role, working closely with the CEO, staff and other stakeholders.”
Next year the Trust’s current chairman, Sir Jim Paice, will step down after a notable eight years in the post. Over recent months, GWCT trustees have undertaken a comprehensive search for his successor and in December unanimously selected Jeremy for the role.
Jeremy commented: “Jim has done so much for the Trust over the last eight years. I shall endeavour to continue his work in helping to drive forward its crucial work.”
Sir Jim says: “It has been a pleasure and an honour to witness so much of the excellent work done by our expert scientists and advisors over the years. Our work spans issues including gamebirds, salmon and trout, songbirds, insects, farming techniques and more, and makes us the leading research organisation in our field.
“This is a really exciting time for a new chairman to drive the Trust forward and help see it through the increasing challenges the countryside is facing.”
GWCT chief executive, Nick von Westenholz, adds: “The search was wide-ranging and comprehensive, and a number of very strong candidates were interviewed – all with strong career backgrounds and high profiles, and ranging from existing trustees to those with less direct involvement with the Trust. Jeremy’s appointment, in light of such a strong field, is a testament to his knowledge of and passion for the Trust and its work.
“Sir Jim has been a fantastic chairman over the last eight years and has guided the Trust through some very challenging circumstances. He has brought a great deal of policy knowledge and passion for the countryside to GWCT and has been a huge support for me since I joined the Trust earlier this year.
“We will be sorry to see Sir Jim leave, but we are all delighted to be welcoming Jeremy as our new chairman, and we will be working closely over the coming months to ensure a smooth handover.”
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 more than 60 post-doctoral scientists and 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 also has a dedicated professional advisory service to make sure that the results of its research are easily available to farmers, landowners, gamekeepers, and others delivering practical conservation.
For information, contact:
Joe Dimbleby
Telephone: 07708 200856
Email: jdimbleby@gwct.org.uk