Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's new chair said he is "excited and honoured" to be taking on the role.

The trust has appointed ecologist Dr Phil Heads as its new chair of the board of trustees.

Dr Heads brings a "wealth of experience" in environmental research, policy, and governance to the position.

With a doctorate in ecology and a master’s in business administration, he takes over from Mark Street, who served as chair for seven years.

Dr Heads said: "I’m excited and honoured to be elected as chair of an organisation that works for and with everyone in Wiltshire and Swindon to promote nature recovery for people’s wellbeing whilst helping us live and do business more sustainably.

"We face complex and interlinked environmental, social, and economic challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution and degradation, poor public health, low economic productivity, and growth.

"Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is committed to working in partnership with local communities, public bodies, and private interests to deliver nature-based solutions that work for everyone."

He added: "I'd like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Mark Street, who wisely guided the trust through a period of growth and development for seven years.

"Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and avian bird flu, the trust delivered a whole series of major projects and successful outcomes for nature, people, and local economies under his chairmanship."

Dr Heads has held positions with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and the Natural Environment Research Council, now part of the science funding body UK Research and Innovation.

An advocate for wildlife conservation, he has been a member of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust for more than 20 years.

He joined the trust's conservation policy committee in 2021 and was elected as a trustee in 2023.

Jo Lewis, chief executive of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Phil Heads as our new chair.

"His strategic vision and deep commitment to working through partnerships will be invaluable as we navigate the complex challenges facing Wiltshire's wildlife.

"We look forward to working with him to restore nature’s abundance and connect people with nature in our special county."

The trust said it is committed to addressing the challenges posed by climate change, habitat loss, and biodiversity decline.

It added it is "well-positioned to make significant strides in its conservation efforts" under Dr Heads' leadership.