Executive Office
+44 (0) 1865 318***
Nigel Winser
Executive Director - Extn 867
Nigel was appointed Executive Director of Earthwatch Institute (Europe) in July 2005. Prior to that he was the Deputy Director and Head of the Expeditions and Fieldwork Division at the Royal Geographical Society in London.
Trained as a Life Scientist at Westminster University where he gained international field experience as an undergraduate, Nigel first joined the Royal Geographical Society as a Deputy Field Director in 1976 for the society's Gunung Mulu project in Sarawak. He helped establish the society's Expedition Advisory Centre and was then selected to develop its international field research programmes in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. For his services to fieldwork, notably in Oman, he was awarded the Patron's Gold Medal of the Society in 1988 and the Mungo Park Award of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. In 1991 he was appointed Deputy Director, becoming responsible for a wide range of programmes and society activities. As Head of the Expeditions and Fieldwork division, Nigel was involved in developing standards and training for safe fieldwork and promoting the value of outdoor learning. If you're ever passing the Royal Geographical Society, why not pop in and see Nigel's portrait. As testament to his global contribution to field science, he's the one next to Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton and Sir David Attenborough.
Nigel has been on the board of several geographical and conservation bodies, including the IUCN UK committee, the UK Man and the Biosphere committee, the Mount Everest Foundation, the British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow committee, Friends of Conservation (Chair) and the Field Studies Council. He is currently a trustee of the Global Canopy Programme and the Greencard Trust. Nigel's principal expertise lies with interdisciplinary and international purpose-led fieldwork, community based nature conservation approaches, and corporate engagement with environmental issues. Nigel has recently been awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from Westminster University for his services to the environment and conservation.
Nigel is married with two children and lives in the Cotswolds. Read our 'Day in the life of...' feature, for more information about Nigel.
Jenny Hazelden
PA to Executive Director - Extn 867
Jenny joined Earthwatch in December 2005 and works with Nigel Winser, the Executive Director. In addition to supporting Nigel in his day-to-day running of the organisation, she works with the Board of Trustees, involves herself in projects such as the annual Oxford lecture, and enjoys learning more of what our environment has to offer.
Prior to Earthwatch Jenny worked in a variety of organisations. Initially with the nuclear industry, she progressed to a science and engineering company (latterly helping to set up an environmental consultancy team). She escaped to a Norwegian company, then to the excitement of the luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent, and subsequently to a global pharmaceutical company.
Jenny joined her first Earthwatch project, Dolphins of the Ionian Sea, in July 2006. Working for Earthwatch she has learned that the organisation is all about science, increasing people's awareness, ensuring sustainability on all levels and changing people's lives forever. The dolphins project was the final part of that picture and for Jenny it was an amazing experience.
Jenny's passion is travel which has so far taken her to Syria, Jordan, Morocco, Europe, Canada, the USA and Africa. The Himalayas are still top of her wish list and she plans to visit more of the Middle East. Closer to home she enjoys walking (especially in the Lake District), skiing, being outdoors, the arts, most sports, reading, and spending time with her nieces and nephew.