Simon Counsell has been involved in the environmental movement for more than 27 years. After graduating in Environmental Science, he worked with Friends of the Earth for nine years, helping to establish the Forest Stewardship Council. He was Chair of the Board of Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 2006 to February 2012 and, after gaining a Master’s Degree in Tropical Forestry and Land-use at Oxford University, he became the current Director of the Rainforest Foundation UK. He has led international efforts to protect the rainforests and their inhabitants, especially in the Congo Basin region of Africa. He is a passionate advocate for ‘people focused’ conservation and believes that respect and recognition of human rights are inextricably linked to environmental protection.
