The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has announced four new appointments which will play a key role in helping the research institute develop as an independent organisation.
We are sorry to be saying goodbye to two directors, Kathleen Parsons and Jaqui Dingle, who have made a significant contribution to UKCEH.
Sam Bullen will become Director of Finance, following Kathleen’s departure last year. Gill Lay will replace Jaqui, our Director for People and Operations, who will be retiring at the end of April after 17 years at UKCEH. Gill and Sam will join us in April.
Sam Bullen is currently Deputy Chief Finance Officer at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust where he has led finance, contracts and procurement teams in support of the trust’s commercial and strategic agenda. Prior to that, he spent 13 years at BP plc in various finance roles across the company’s supply and trading, shipping, and alternative energy business units.
Gill Lay is an experienced HR professional and executive board member, committed to delivering business improvements through people. She will be joining UKCEH from her senior role at the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
Meanwhile, Lynette Eastman, who has experience across a range of sectors, has been appointed a Trustee Director. Her most recent role was as Director, HR Transformation and Operations, for HMRC. Her expertise in leading change will be very relevant to UKCEH as a newly independent organisation.
This follows the departure of Trustee Director Fiona Evans, formerly HR Director of ZSL, last year.
Ian Reid has taken the position of Non-Executive Director of UKCEH Enterprise, our trading subsidiary, to support its development and growth, monitor performance, plus provide financial accountability and ensure effective risk management. He is a chartered engineer and physicist with 24 years in board and leadership roles, including at QinetiQ during and after its privatisation.
Professor Mark Bailey, Executive Director of UKCEH, says: “We are looking forward to 2021 with optimism. While the pandemic has presented us with numerous challenges, we remain in a strong position. With the support of Sam, Gill, Lynette and Ian, I am confident we will continue to thrive in future.”