Welsh Government | Appointment of New Members to the Countryside Council for Wales

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Appointment of New Members to the Countryside Council for Wales

The Minister for Environment, Sustainability & Housing, Jane Davidson, has announced the appointment of four new Members to the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).

Tuesday 11 December 2007

Dr Susan Gubbay, Ms Lynnette Margaret Thomas, Mr Geraint David George and Mr Andrew John Middleton have been appointed as new Members to the CCW.

Dr Susan Gubbay has been appointed for her expertise in marine science, Ms Lynnette Margaret Thomas for her expertise in countryside access, Mr Geraint David George for his integrated rural development and sustainable land management experience and Mr Andrew John Middleton for his expertise in the field of corporate finance.

The terms of all the appointments are for three years beginning on 2 January 2008.

Jane Davidson said:

I am pleased that all the candidates have accepted my offers of appointment to the Countryside Council for Wales. The Welsh countryside faces many important challenges in the future, not least through the threat of climate change. I am confident that the four new members will bring much enthusiasm, expertise and the leadership skills required to help the CCW continue to meet these challenges, as well as continuing its good work on the range of issues affecting the countryside and wider environment of Wales and its in-shore waters today.

Dr Susan Gubbay DPHil, FRICS, FRSA.
A marine ecologist, diver and conservationist for over 20 years, Dr Gubbay is a freelance marine consultant working on projects for the public sector, private sector, and non governmental organisations on marine ecology, marine conservation and coastal management. Her specialist interest is Marine Protected Areas and the developing field of Marine Spatial Planning.

Dr Gubbay acted as a specialist advisor to the UK House of Commons Environment Select Committee and has held various appointments including President of the European Coastal Association of Science & Technology, the Buckland Professor (for Marine protected Areas & Fisheries), and a member of the Council of English Nature (now Natural England). She was a senior Conservation Officer with the Marine Conservation Society, and has taught marine ecology to university students as well as introducing members of the public to the underwater world through lectures and field visits.

Ms Lynnette Margaret Thomas
Lynnette Thomas currently works for the Wales Centre for Health and is an advocate for improving health and reducing social exclusion and has considerable experience of partnership working at a local, national and international level. She has worked to tackle these issues in previous roles including at the Wales European Centre, Brussels and the Welsh Local Government Association. She formerly held a Board position at EuroHealthNet and established and chaired the Physical Activity Network for Wales. Originally from the Cynon Valley, she now lives in Cardiff with her husband and their two young children.

Mr Geraint David George
Geraint George is Director of Countryside Management at Bangor University where he also lectures in Environmental Management and Geography. He has a background in the environmental sciences and has an extensive experience in education and conservation. He is currently the Vice-chair of the Snowdonia National Park Authority and a member of the Welsh National Committee of the Forestry Commission. His interests include protected landscapes, Welsh medium environmental education, mountain walking, outdoor activities and sports. Originally from the Swansea Valley, Geraint lives in Brynrefail, Gwynedd.

Mr Andrew John Middleton
Andy Middleton is an entrepreneur and activist who works as a facilitator, speaker and creative spark with public and private organisations. He uses ecology, psychology and common sense to design and deliver sustainable solutions that make a practical difference for his clients and audiences. He is the founder and CEO of the award-winning TYF Group. Andy lives in St Davids, Pembrokeshire where he’s building a zero carbon eco house on the coast with his family.

Notes

The Countryside Council for Wales is the Assembly’s statutory adviser on sustaining natural beauty, wildlife, and the opportunity for outdoor enjoyment in rural Wales and its inshore waters.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Council can have between 8 and 12 members including the Chair. Members receive £8,317 per annum for a minimum time commitment of two and a half days per month.

Tuesday, 11 December, 2007