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BirdLife International announces the appointment of Martin Harper as its new CEO

Martin Harper is the new CEO of BirdLife International. As an experienced advocate and communicator, with 27 years of experience in senior conservation roles, Martin will work with his leadership team to implement a new, ambitious BirdLife strategy.


A biologist by training, Martin has 27 years’ experience of conservation leadership in a variety of Non-Governmental Organisations including serving as Global Conservation Director of the RSPB prior to joining the BirdLife International Secretariat in 2021.

As an experienced advocate and communicator, Martin will work with his leadership team to implement the ambitious BirdLife strategy that was agreed at BirdLife’s centenary celebrations last year.

I am honoured to lead BirdLife International in this crucial decade.  Having been part of the BirdLife family for the past 19 years, I have seen the power of our Partnership acting both nationally and together globally to tackle the nature and climate emergency.

I will do everything that I can to ensure that the BirdLife Secretariat mobilises its exceptional science to inspire action while bolstering the collective capacity and capability of our 120 Partners operating in 116 countries so that together we project hope, optimism and confidence that our own species can live in harmony with the rest of nature.” Martin Harper, Chief Executive Officer

Having been Interim CEO since the departure of Patricia Zurita in June 2023, Martin starts his new role with immediate effect. 

Dr Mike Rands, Chair of BirdLife’s Global Council said “Martin Harper has demonstrated vision and embodied excellence throughout his career, and most impressively since joining BirdLife in 2021, in several important leadership roles and most recently as Interim CEO since the departure of our previous CEO. Our 120 Partners around the globe join me in congratulating him in this appointment with deep confidence that he is the leader to take us forward in delivering even greater impact for birds, biodiversity and people at this critical time for the planet.”

Header Image: © Shutterstock/Mark Medcalf

Martin Harper, new Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife International.