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Former Shadow Environment Secretary Peter Ainsworth is new Chairman of Plantlife
Plantlife appoints former MP and Shadow Environment Secretary Peter Ainsworth as its new Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
June 21 2010
Peter Ainsworth, Plantlife's new Chairman © Plantlife
Plantlife warmly welcomes Peter Ainsworth as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, with effect from the charity’s Annual Members’ Day held last week.
Peter has been involved with Plantlife since joining the Board of Trustees in 2006, and he hosted the launch event for Plantlife’s Ghost Orchid Declaration report – a ‘manifesto for plants’ which calls for action on plant conservation – at the House of Commons in October 2009.
Peter was the Member of Parliament for East Surrey for 18 years until he decided to step down at the recent general election in order to pursue his interest in the environment and the arts outside parliament.
In his 18 years as an MP, he held numerous posts including serving as both Shadow Secretary of State for Culture and more recently as Shadow Secretary of State of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2005 - 2009. He also chaired the All Parliamentary Groups for the Environment and Sustainable Aviation. Peter also steered his own green energy bill, to make it easier for homes to install units such as turbines and solar panels, on to the statute book.
"I am delighted to take on the role of Chairman of Plantlife and I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Professor Roger Crofts."
Peter Ainsworth
"I am delighted to take on the role of Chairman of Plantlife,” said Peter Ainsworth, “and I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Professor Roger Crofts. As a result of his efforts and those of our outstanding staff and volunteers, Plantlife is in good shape. What is not in good shape is the security of the natural environment: one in five of our native wild plants is threatened with extinction while every county loses on average one of its wild flower species every two years. At a time of intense economic pressure it will be essential to ensure that the voice of nature is heard, for the sake of our future and that of our children."
In 2005, in recognition of his work on the environment, Peter Ainsworth was awarded the Public Affairs News 'Politician of the Year' award. In 2009, Peter was given the PRASEG Environmental Politician of the Year 2009 award and was also named ‘Environmental Parliamentarian of the Year' by the Chartered Institute of Environmental and Water Management.
For more information:
Sue Nottingham Senior Press Officer T 01722 342757 / T 0786 1655438