A Cumbrian conservation charity has appointed a new chief executive to help guide its work protecting the River Eden and its surrounding landscape.
Penrith-based Eden Rivers Trust has announced the appointment of Harvey Hamilton-Thorpe as its new CEO.
He joins the charity from the Ribble Rivers Trust, where he spent more than a decade helping deliver river restoration and environmental projects across Lancashire and North Yorkshire, most recently serving as deputy chief executive.
The appointment marks a new chapter for the charity, which has spent almost 30 years working to improve the health of the River Eden catchment, an area covering around 850 square miles of Cumbria.
Mr Hamilton-Thorpe began his rivers trust career in 2015 as programme manager for the Ribble Life Together project, which later received national recognition when it won the UK River Prize in 2022.
During his time at Ribble Rivers Trust he also held roles leading staff development, learning programmes, partnerships and major environmental initiatives.
Announcing the appointment, Eden Rivers Trust Chair Professor John Quinton said the organisation was looking forward to benefiting from Harvey’s experience.
He said: “I am delighted to welcome Harvey to the team at Eden Rivers Trust. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the charity sector, not least in his varied roles and successes at the Ribble Rivers Trust.
“We are all looking forward to working together, to rise to the challenges and to grab opportunities to secure the longer-term health, vibrancy and resilience of the Eden river catchment.”
Mr Hamilton-Thorpe said he was excited by the opportunity to build on the charity’s previous successes.
He said: “The role of chief executive at Eden Rivers Trust is one I am thrilled to take on.
“The Trust’s motto is ‘Rethinking rivers. For good.’ It captures both ambition and optimism, and I am excited to be joining at a time when both are needed more than ever.”
He added that there were significant opportunities to improve rivers and habitats by working alongside local communities, landowners and partner organisations.
“By building on everything that has already been achieved, working with natural processes, empowering local communities and bringing people together around shared goals, we can deliver lasting benefits for Eden’s rivers, wildlife and communities,” he said.
Mr Hamilton-Thorpe succeeds Elizabeth Radford, who has led the trust since 2017.
During her eight years in charge, Eden Rivers Trust expanded its influence across Cumbria and became a well-known voice on issues affecting river health, habitat restoration and environmental conservation.
Paying tribute to his predecessor, Mr Hamilton-Thorpe said: “I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Elizabeth for the outstanding contribution made during her tenure at Eden Rivers Trust; steering ERT through many challenges and successes and always championing the unique and special qualities of the Eden river catchment, its landscapes and its people.”
Eden Rivers Trust was established in 1996 and works across the Eden catchment, delivering projects aimed at improving water quality, restoring habitats and helping wildlife thrive throughout one of England’s most important river systems.
