Chief Executive - Dr Martin Warren

Dr Martin Warren has studied butterfly ecology and conservation for over 30 years, including a PhD on the Wood White, taken at Cambridge University.

He joined Butterfly Conservation in 1993 as the first conservation member of staff and was appointed as Chief Executive in February 2003.

Martin has published over 300 scientific papers and reports. He is co-author of several books, including Butterflies for the New Millennium, The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland and Prime Butterfly Areas of Europe.

In 2004, he helped found Butterfly Conservation Europe and was appointed as the first chairman.

In 2007 BBC Wildlife Magazine voted him one of Britain’s top 10 conservationists.

Director of Finance & Administration and Company Secretary - Julie Williams

Julie Williams is a qualified accountant who has worked in finance and administration for over 14 years.

She has extensive knowledge of charity accounting and charity governance.

Julie joined Butterfly Conservation in 2000.

In 2003 she was appointed Director of Finance and Administration and in 2005 she additionally became Company Secretary.

She has overseen and managed a rapid growth in Butterfly Conservation’s finances and membership, while ensuring accounting, administration and governance procedures meet the highest standards.

Director of Species Conservation - Dr Nigel Bourn

Dr Nigel Bourn has studied butterfly ecology and conservation for over 20 years.

His PhD was on the Burnet Moths of north west Scotland, taken at Aberdeen University.

He joined Butterfly Conservation in 1995 as a researcher and was appointed Director in 2004.

Nigel has published over 150 scientific papers and reports.

He is Chair of the Wildlife and Countryside Links Biodiversity Group. This is a role that involves engaging with Government at a senior level on UK Biodiversity Action Plans. 

Director of Butterfly Conservation Scotland - Paul Kirkland

Paul Kirkland has worked in ecology and conservation for over 25 years. He studied ecology at Durham, and completed an MSc on the Scotch Argus at Aberdeen University in 2004.

Paul worked for Cumbria Wildlife Trust for 10 years before joining Butterfly Conservation in 1994 as the second member of the conservation team.

In 2005 he was appointed Director of Scotland. Paul also oversees our work in Northern Ireland.

He wrote Butterflies, a book for Scottish Natural Heritage's Naturally Scottish series. He also co-authored two regional butterfly atlases for South West Scotland and the Scottish Borders. 

He also leads butterfly-watching trips to Europe.