James St John Davis has been elected as the new Chair of the Corporation’s Natural Environment Board and West Ham Park Committee.
With a longstanding commitment to nature resilience and community engagement, he brings a wealth of experience in environmental education and sustainable management to the role.
The City Corporation’s Natural Environment Board is the overarching policy and strategic body for its Natural Environment Division, and its City Gardens function, which manage over 11,000 acres of open space across London and southeast England, investing tens of millions of pounds every year. It is also responsible for the day-to-day management of the gardens, churchyards and green spaces within the Square Mile, and Bunhill Fields Burial Ground in Islington.
These sites include a wide range of nationally and internationally important habitats, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation, and National Nature Reserves, all protected under legislation.
The West Ham Park Committee is responsible for West Ham Park – the largest green space in Newham – and has been managed by the City Corporation since 1874.
Newly appointed Chair of the City Corporation’s Natural Environment Board and West Ham Park Committee, James St John Davis, said:
“Our parks and open spaces are widely recognised as some of the very best managed in the world, contributing a value of over £280 million each year in benefits to society.
“I am committed to ensuring we remain at the forefront of protecting and enhancing them. Not only are these spaces vital to achieving the goals of the City Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy, they also provide significant social, cultural, and economic benefits, making our City and surrounding areas a truly world-class destination.
“I intend to build on the excellent work of recent years — driving forward improvements in governance, working in partnership with environmental charities, and collaborating across the organisation to strengthen the impact of these two important committees.
“I am passionate about connecting our green spaces with the Financial City, not only to boost our capital’s global appeal, but to champion the City’s leadership in conservation, which includes the largest collection of ancient trees in the UK.
“These are big shoes to fill, and I would like to thank Caroline Haines for her outstanding leadership and legacy, particularly through initiatives like the Youth Natural Environment Board.
“I cannot wait to get started.”
In his professional life, James holds sustainability and youth development portfolios, sitting on the Court of the Gardeners’ Company of London and brings extensive experience across regulated boards and committees within the financial services sector.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally successful UK – .
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