The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has announced that Jeremy Finnis DL has been selected as chairman-elect, with plans to take over from current chairman Sir Jim Paice when he steps down in July 2026.
A long-time member of the Trust, Finnis became chairman of the Essex County Committee in 2014, supporting regional fundraising and awareness initiatives. He has served as a GWCT trustee since 2020 and currently chairs the Trust’s Allerton Project Committee and Investment Committee.
Following a science degree at Oxford, Finnis began his career at the Ministry of Agriculture, working as a field adviser before moving into roles supporting ministers during the UK Presidency of the EU in 1992. He later undertook a secondment to the president of the NFU focused on food marketing policy.
His subsequent roles have included chairman of the NFU Mutual Advisory Board for the East of England and vice-chair of governors of Writtle University College. He was installed as Master of the Worshipful Company of Farmers in 2025 and serves as president of the Essex CLA.
Finnis has spent the past three decades farming a 2,500ha family partnership in South Essex with his wife and children, while also running the Dell Estate in Scotland, which includes livestock farming, sporting and holiday lets, fishing, forestry, carbon capture and renewable energy projects.
Commenting on the appointment, Finnis said: “I am honoured and delighted to be taking on the role of chairman of the GWCT at a time when its mission for nature and biodiversity is more important than ever. I am a long-term supporter of the inspiring and impactful work of the Trust, and I am relishing the challenge of this new role, working closely with the CEO, staff and other stakeholders.”
He added: “Jim has done so much for the Trust over the last eight years. I shall endeavour to continue his work in helping to drive forward its crucial work.”
Sir Jim Paice said: “It has been a pleasure and an honour to witness so much of the excellent work done by our expert scientists and advisors over the years. Our work spans issues including gamebirds, salmon and trout, songbirds, insects, farming techniques and more, and makes us the leading research organisation in our field.
“This is a really exciting time for a new chairman to drive the Trust forward and help see it through the increasing challenges the countryside is facing.”
GWCT chief executive Nick von Westenholz said trustees had undertaken a “wide-ranging and comprehensive” search, with multiple candidates interviewed, adding that Finnis’ selection “is a testament to his knowledge of and passion for the Trust and its work.”
Von Westenholz also paid tribute to Paice’s tenure, saying: “Sir Jim has been a fantastic chairman over the last eight years and has guided the Trust through some very challenging circumstances… We will be sorry to see Sir Jim leave, but we are all delighted to be welcoming Jeremy as our new chairman, and we will be working closely over the coming months to ensure a smooth handover.”
GET IN TOUCH
gwct.org.uk.