A RIVER conservation charity has appointed its first Chief Executive Officer who brings with her a wealth of experience.

Elizabeth Radford, who has spent the last 18 years developing, managing and sustaining large conservation projects with multiple partners, starts her new role in December 2017.

She has held senior positions at Plantlife International and most recently with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), where she was senior UK overseas territories officer.

She graduated with a first in botany from the University of Wales and also got an MSc from Edinburgh University.

“I am thrilled to be joining Eden Rivers Trust - a committed and dynamic conservation organisation whose holistic, community-focused approach to river conservation I deeply admire," she said. "I look forward to working with the trust’s existing and new partners and its many volunteers; to build on the innovation shown to date, and realise the continued improvement in health of all the rivers in the Eden catchment."

Charles Ecroyd, Chair of Trustees, added: “Charities, such as ourselves, are operating in an increasingly uncertain world, where competition for funding is fierce. The challenge we face over the coming months and years is to ensure that we remain financially resilient so that we can continue to deliver our wide range of innovative, practical conservation and community engagement projects.

“To meet this challenge, we are delighted to welcome Elizabeth to the team in the newly-created role of Chief Executive Officer. Her experience and skills will complement our existing staff and trustee expertise, placing us in a strong position to deliver our ambitious business strategy and plan.”