HWDT welcomes a new charity Chair in its 30th year
Today, HWDT Trustees announce that Helen Stace has stepped into the role as Chair, succeeding Juliana Butler (Jay).
Helen Stace stepped into the role of Chair at a gathering in Tobermory on 16 March 2024. Helen and Jay have been working closely together over the past few months during the transition period. The core of this work has been handing over the development of the draft 5-year strategic plan.
It seems that ocean currents bought Helen to this role at HWDT; she has a depth of experience as CEO of two conservation charities and 30 years at Natural England and its predecessors. More recently, she has started migrating north to her new home on the Isle of Mull, drawn by the call of the Sea of the Hebrides and its whales and dolphins - first experienced on a post-retirement expedition on board Silurian, our research vessel, which whetted her appetite for more involvement.
“I have been landlocked most of my life up until now and I’m really looking forward to learning more about marine conservation and supporting HWDT in its vital work of scientific research and inspiring more people and decision makers to appreciate and act to conserve our seas. Jay will be a hard act to follow, but I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Jay Butler has been involved with HWDT for 28 years, similar to the life span of a common dolphin! Appointed as the first CEO in 1996, she later became a Trustee in 2014 and then Chair of Trustees in 2018. This is unprecedented in terms of commitment to supporting HWDT in depth, breadth, and longevity. She also had to help steer HWDT through the COVID pandemic and, as you would expect, she ensured that we weathered the storm.
As Chair, she managed to fulfil her highly ambitious goals by supporting our current Director, Alison Lomax, to increase the security for the staff posts, upgrade the Centre and office space and initiate the development of our strategy.
“With her wealth of experience in the charitable sector Helen is undoubtedly a safe pair of hands for HWDT. Most importantly, her genuine commitment to the trust is the greatest of qualities to take the organisation to its next chapter.”