Ben McCarthy is Head of Nature Conservation at the National Trust where he provides national leadership to realise the Trust’s ambition for nature recovery.

He has significant experience leading national delivery programmes as well as influencing and advocating for nature recovery based on his senior positions within the statutory and non-statutory sectors. With particular interest in the science policy interface, Ben focuses much of his effort in the practical application of nature-based solutions and supporting better informed decision making.

He holds numerous positions on national expert groups, is currently a Co-Iead on the NERC funded RestREco project investigating resilience and a leading member of the UKBE4N initiative securing more collaborative approach to building better evidence. He has an extensive network across the statutory and non-statutory sector where his practical experience helps bridge divides and build consensus.