Leigh’s career began in horticulture, working and managing in plant nurseries, then teaching in land-based colleges, before 10 years at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, where he managed education and engagement, and was involved in international botanical conservation projects. Leigh’s career then developed a wider conservation focus at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, and he currently sits on the Boards of Sea-Changers and the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum. Leigh spent 2018-25 living on islands, two years on St Helena in the South Atlantic delivering environmental consultancy, then from January 2020 as CEO of Manx Wildlife Trust in the Isle of Man.
Leigh joined RSWT in June 2025 as Director - International. This is a new role, which aims to make the international conservation and climate change agendas far more relevant across our federation, thus enhancing the link between our work in a more ‘Local to Global’ context. The Wildlife Trusts are one of the founding members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), so it is highly appropriate that we are once again recognising the important role we have in nature conservation and restoration across the world.
Leigh loves the sea and when not at work, he will often be found scuba diving, ideally carrying out a Seasearch survey dive!
Speaking at
Oct 10 2025 (14:00 - 16:00)