Deputy Executive Director and Senior Programme Manager
Nationality: British
Education: PhD in Management of Chalk Grassland for the Conservation of Invertebrates, University of London, United Kingdom; MSc in Applied Entomology (Temperate and Tropical) & Diploma of Membership of the Imperial College, University of London, United Kingdom; BSc Honours in Zoology, University of Manchester, United Kingdom; Masters in Business Administration, Open University, United Kingdom.
Background information: Lawrence is Deputy Director at ECNC and responsible for the development and implementation of projects within the programmes Green Infrastructure and Business and Biodiversity.
Lawrence has worked in nature conservation for 30 years and has more than 20 years experience of international work in Europe, especially SEE and EECCA regions, and North America. He has extensive experience of international project and programme management; management of staff and financial/capital resources (and change management – currently Integration Manager ECNC-EUCC); coaching and mentoring; and creative problem solving. Lawrence is an expert in knowledge based facilitation, participative/group process management, moderation, training and training of trainers; this has included capacity building, facilitation, and direct involvement in public participation for nature/sustainable development. He is skilled in the process and practice of communication, in particular its application to nature conservation.
Lawrence has long experience in the science policy arena, including extensive policy work with European Commission, European Environment Agency and the European Topic Centre – Biodiversity; and has worked for the direct practical delivery of biodiversity action. He applies his knowledge of environmental issues, ecology and biodiversity to project management, workshops, training, group problem solving, paper, report and handbook writing. An expert in the ecosystems approach and cumulative effects management, his experience in sustainable development has involved work with business and industry, social inclusion and health issues. He has direct experience of the practical application of the ecological networks approach at international, national and regional level. He has a PhD in conservation management, technical expertise in landscape ecology, plant and animal taxa (national expert Arachnida) and is a member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM). He has an extensive publications list. He became ECNC Editor for the Journal for Nature Conservation in January 2010. Lawrence is Secretary of the ECNC Scientific Council.
‘For me, Europe’s wildlife and landscapes are an irreplaceable source of natural capital and a fountainhead of inspiration. Whilst the key to their protection may be through an integrated approach that involves focusing on key sectors and the economic value of ecosystem services, in pursuing these ends I never want to lose sight of the intrinsic value of biodiversity for its own sake.’