At the beginning of June, after 25 years, Terry Kenny, The Rufford Foundation’s Trust Director, is stepping down from that position.
Terry was recruited to use his administrative skills from working in banking, as the foundation had expanded its capital considerably during the 1990s. Terry's stewardship established appropriate business practices for the foundation's administration and financial good governance. This remains a major, ongoing legacy.
When Terry arrived at the foundation in 1997, the focus was on nature conservation though other areas, such as health and medicine, social welfare and overseas aid, received considerable support. Terry helped navigate the foundation’s path towards becoming solely focused on nature conservation work, primarily in the developing world. He was instrumental in establishing a separate charity, The Rufford Small Grants Foundation, to manage the Rufford Small Grants Programme. Eventually the two foundations merged into a single entity, The Rufford Foundation.
Terry has been an integral part of the foundation and his contribution to its sound expansion was both essential and greatly appreciated by the Trustees. He will be greatly missed by the staff and all of those with whom he has had dealings over the years. The foundation passes on its deepest thanks for all his work and wishes him the very best in the future. However, it will not be the end of his involvement as Terry has kindly agreed to become a Trustee of the foundation.
Given our sole focus on international nature conservation and capacity building of nationals of developing countries, following Terry’s decision to step down, the Trustees felt it important that the new CEO should have a strong background in nature conservation. The new CEO will be Stuart Paterson. Stuart has been with Fauna & Flora International for 17 years and for the last 7 years been the Executive Manager of the Conservation Leadership Programme, a grant-giving and capacity building programme that supports grantees in low-middle income countries to deliver successful projects to conserve nature.