Dr Marco Lambertini has been appointed as director general of the organisation, joining from BirdLife International, where he held the position of chief executive.

Yolanda Kakabadse, president of the WWF International board of trustees, says: “Dr Marco Lambertini was the outstanding candidate in a broad field of exceptional applicants.

“We were searching for someone with proven global leadership credentials, as well as a global mindset, first-class scientific and political acumen, someone who is an energetic fundraiser, a campaigner, and a natural communicator, who demonstrates the passion and drive to save life on Earth. 

“Marco ticks all of these boxes and more. On behalf of my colleagues on the WWF International board of trustees, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Marco to WWF.” 

With 25 years of global conservation leadership, Marco Lambertini began his association with WWF as a youth volunteer growing up in his native Italy.

He comments: “I am delighted and incredibly excited to serve an organisation like WWF, and to contribute to fully realise its immense potential as a catalyst and agent for change for the benefit of people and nature. 

“WWF’s authority and visibility, global reach, civil society support, and local presence can deliver what the planet and its people need: real change towards sustainable living across sectors, cultures and continents, a truly global vision for a planet where people and nature can thrive in harmony.”