Size of Wales is delighted to announce the appointment of Tim Birch as its new Chair.
Tim is a leading environmental campaigner with decades of experience at some of the world’s largest nature conservation NGOs, including Greenpeace, the RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts. He has worked at local, national and international levels, including leading Greenpeace delegations at major UN conventions on biodiversity and endangered species.
Much of Tim’s career has focused on protecting temperate and tropical rainforests, including the Amazon, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. He led Greenpeace’s global campaign that helped secure protection for more than six million hectares of the Great Bear Rainforest in Canada, and has campaigned against illegal logging and palm oil expansion in the Amazon, Congo and Indonesia.
More recently, Tim has been Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager at Wildlife Trusts Wales, focusing on making Wales’ new Sustainable Farming Scheme as nature- and climate-friendly as possible. He also co-founded the Welsh Alliance for Temperate Rainforests and is a trustee of Tir Natur, Wales’ first rewilding organisation.
Outside of campaigning, Tim has a passion for wildlife — from the hummingbirds of South America’s tropical forests to the rainforests of Wales — and a deep interest in rewilding and ocean conservation.
Speaking about his appointment, Tim said:
“Our tropical forests across the world are in serious trouble. They continue to disappear at an alarming rate and time is running out to save them. All our futures are tied to the survival of tropical forests such as the Amazon, the Congo and Indonesia. Joining Size of Wales to help protect and restore the world’s forests is a wonderful opportunity for me to rejoin the fight for our future.”
His appointment comes at a pivotal moment: later this year, the UN’s COP30 climate summit will take place in Belém, Brazil — at the edge of the Amazon — where forest protection and restoration are expected to be at the heart of the talks.
Nicola Pulman, Director of Size of Wales, said:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Tim Birch as Chair of Size of Wales. Tim’s passion and international experience will help us continue to deliver real impact — from growing millions of trees and protecting tropical forests, to inspiring climate action here in Wales.”
Tribute to outgoing Chair
Size of Wales also paid tribute to outgoing Chair, former First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones, who has served for more than four years. To mark his contribution, Carwyn planted a rose in Cardiff’s Peace Garden — a lasting symbol of his dedication to forest protection and climate action.
Nicola added:
“I’d like to thank Carwyn for his leadership, direction and commitment to Size of Wales. We are deeply grateful for his time as Chair.”
New Deputy Chair
The charity is also pleased to confirm the appointment of Professor John Hunt as Deputy Chair. A geologist and physical geographer specialising in climate and environmental change, John brings extensive expertise in science outreach, equity and inclusion to the role.
