Richard Burge

"Richard was born in Hong Kong and has spent much of his life outside the UK. He has worked in over 50 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

"He read zoology at the University of Durham and after a period teaching, became a Commonwealth Scholar at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. He joined the British Council for ten years, starting with a posting in Nigeria. His last post was as Head of Africa and Middle East Development Operations for the British Council.

"From 1995 to 1999, Richard was the first Director General of the Zoological Society of London responsible for the management of London Zoo, Whipsnade and Europe's largest conservation science research centre. From 2000 to 2005, he was Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, a rural campaigning organisation with 120,000 members.

"From 2005 to 2008, he worked with Paul van Vlissingen to establish the African Parks Foundation, a US$ 35 million fund to invest in the long term business management of national parks in Africa. He also established Beyond Carbon - a company that provides strategic science, technology, and policy advice on climate change and other ecosystem impacts.

"From 2005 to 2009, he was a Government Commissioner for Rural Communities and a trustee of the Commonwealth's Iwokrama Rainforest Centre in Guyana. He is currently a Governor of Bridewell Royal Hospital, a major City of London educational charity and a Lay-member of the Council of Durham University."

"Richard is responsible for driving and co-ordinating The Property Merchant Group’s advanced environmental strategy, both corporately and on its projects, where it aims to provide the very highest standards of sustainable buildings.

"Richard now lives the good life from a crumbling chateau in France, although he seems to spend most of his life in London or Africa."

• Chief executive (since 2009), Wilton Park