Simon Milne MBE, Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust has been named Third Sector Director of the Year by the Institute of Directors Scotland.

The awards, which attracted a record number of nominations this year, celebrate the achievements of the very best of Scotland’s business and charity leaders.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scotland’s pre-eminent wildlife conservation body, has been under the leadership of Simon Milne since 2004. From maintaining a network of over 120 reserves and campaigning at a local and national level for greater protection for wildlife to the groundbreaking reintroduction of beavers in Mid-Argyll, the Trust protects Scotland's wildlife for the future, and inspires and engages people with their natural environment.  The Scottish Wildlife Trust is an active player in Europe and internationally thanks to the leadership of Simon Milne.

Simon Milne said:

“I am hugely honoured to have received this award. Working with the Scottish Wildlife Trust to protect our magnificent and valuable natural environment is a wonderful job. The secret of success is to enjoy your profession and to work with highly committed and able people, such as my colleagues and our terrific volunteers.”

Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts said:

“This is well deserved recognition for a great man who has transformed the Scottish Wildlife Trust into a leading light in the environment sector, both in the UK and beyond. It is an honour and a pleasure to work alongside him in our quest to achieve Living Landscapes and Living Seas across the length and breadth of our islands.”