The Scottish Wildlife Trust is delighted to announce that it is to welcome a new Chairman. The Trust’s Council elected former MSP Robin Harper, who will take up the post in September this year.

Environmentalist, academic and politician, Mr Harper was a teacher for 37 years before becoming Scotland’s first Green parliamentarian in 1999 when he was elected as an additional member for the Lothian region.

He sat on the Environment Committee and made contributions to most pieces of major environmental legislation between 1999-2011 including the Water Environment Act, the Marine Act and the Climate Change Act.

Outgoing Chairman of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Allan Bantick, said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Wildlife Trust Council has elected Robin Harper to be its next Chairman.

“Robin brings a wealth of experience to the task gained over many years of public service as a politician, academic and environmentalist and I am confident that under his direction the Trust will continue to build on its impressive list of successes.”

Mr Harper said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Council has appointed me as their new Chair to take over from Allan Bantick in September.

“Allan will be a hard act to follow but I am ready to step up to the plate and carry on the excellent work he has done over the last six years.”