Our Team

Peatland ecosystems have been a major focus for Emma since starting her PhD in 2009 to investigate the drivers of community structure of a group of green algae (desmids) in intact and restored blanket bog habitats. She went on to work as a wetland ecologist, predominantly in Scotland, for Scotland's environmental regulator (SEPA). During her time with SEPA, Emma advised on the environmental impacts of developments on wetlands, as well as drafting policy and guidance to support wetland protection. 

Emma provides strategic leadership for the programme in support of the goals of our UK Peatland Strategy, maintaining oversight of all activity across the UK peatland community. Emma has overall responsibility for securing funding to ensure the financial sustainability of the programme and guiding our work plan and outputs.  

emma.hinchliffe [at] iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670130 

Having grown up in a city on the edge of Dartmoor, Jane has a strong connection to peatlands and the restorative power of nature. After completing an MSc in Biological Diversity, she went on to volunteer for various environmental charities, before joining the University of Plymouth in a technical support role. During her time at the university, Jane collaborated with multiple organisations in delivering environmental research and community and stakeholder engagement through outreach, training programmes and work-based placements. 

Jane manages the day-to-day administration of the programme and coordinates and supports the wider team in the development of projects and work items, including our publications and other resources. Jane works closely with our Communications Lead in the delivery of our annual conference and other events. 

jane.akerman [at] iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670113

Jess has an interest in all upland ecosystems but developed a particular interest in peatlands after joining the Natural England upland peat team in Yorkshire in 2018. She has a BSc in Natural Science and an MSc in Conservation Science. In 2019 she joined the University of Leeds to undertake a PhD studying the impacts of temporary track removal on the ecological and physical properties of peatlands. She published a number of papers from her research, including the first global review paper on the impacts of vehicular access tracks on peatlands in 2021. After completing her PhD, she returned to Natural England as a senior advisor working in the Chief Scientist’s directorate working on planning for the SSSI monitoring and evaluation programme and developing the interim milestones for peatland monitoring. Outside of work she is a keen botanist and fell runner. 

Jess joined the IUCN UK Peatland Programme as Policy Lead in November 2023. Jess is responsible for leading on the production of policy related briefings and documents such as the issues briefs and UK Strategy reporting. She is responsible for liaising with policy officers and advisors within NGO and governmental organisations.  

jessica.Fìor-Berry [at] iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670104 

With a background in Geography, Helen studied an MSc in Ecosystem Services at the University of Edinburgh, where she developed an interest in ecosystems vulnerable to climate change. Her PhD project at Swansea University focused on the response of an alpine ecosystem to climate change over different time scales, which included reconstructing past environments based on fossil pollen preserved in peat. Prior to joining the programme, Helen worked as an academic tutor. 

Helen’s role is to collate the evidence base to support the delivery of the Peatland Programme’s objectives. She is responsible for producing many of our briefings and other publications with support from the wider team and our network of peatland experts. 

helen.harper [at] iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670129 

From 2012 Renée has had a strong focus on peatland restoration, initially during her PhD at Stirling University where she worked on the impact of forest-to-bog restoration on greenhouse gas fluxes. After her PhD she worked on a policy review for ClimateXChange: 'Climate benefits of forest-to-bog restoration on deep peat', in which she brought together data from different studies to come to a complete carbon budget. Prior to her role at the IUCN UK Peatland Programme she worked for the Landscapes as Carbon Sinks project at Edinburgh University, where, amongst other things, she has built a good foundation knowledge of carbon markets. 

Renée leads on the operation and development of the Peatland Code, and coordinates activities across the UK partner bodies that support the Peatland Code. 

renee.kerkvliet-hermans [at] iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670131 

With a background in Horticulture and Environmental Management, Garance studied at the University of Reading where her interest in peatlands and habitat conservation first began. Following this with an MSc in Plant Diversity, she focused on weather climate changes and temperature effects on British species’ flowering range and distribution. Garance joined the Peatland Code team from the Soil Association, where she gained experience with accreditation schemes, standards and land use practices. 

As Peatland Code Development Manager, Garance provides technical input to the team, implementing and maintaining quality control for Peatland Code documents, and supports Renée in Peatland Code development including version updates.  Garance is also responsible for managing the Peatland Code’s accreditation with ICROA and ensuring the independent validation and verification bodies obtain United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation. She also stays informed of the nature finance and carbon markets landscape and latest developments.  

For information relating to accreditation, Peatland Code development, carbon and biodiversity markets please contact Garance. 

gwmoulin [at] iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670108 

Harriet studied Environmental Science at Leeds University in 2006, and then spent some time in the agricultural sector in various roles, including as a farm contractor. She was first introduced to peat and peatlands in 2022 when she worked on three peat projects through Nature for Climate and EU LIFE funding. This involved obtaining baseline data on lowland raised bogs in preparation for restoration works.

Harriet assists with the running of the Peatland Code, such as registering projects under the Code.

Contact Harriet: harriet.santon [at] iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670132 

Euan has a strong interest in climate change and the natural environment. Prior to joining the IUCN UK Peatland Programme in 2025, Euan worked as a climate change policy adviser for the Royal Society and for a local authority climate change team. He has a BSc Geography degree from the University of Manchester and an MSc Climate Change degree from King's College London. Having grown up on the edge of the Peak District, he is passionate about peatland restoration and its role in mitigating climate change and delivering biodiversity benefits.

Euan assists with the running of the Peatland Code, such as registering projects under the Code.

Contact Euan: euan.casey [at] iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670133 

Richard Lindsay is Head of Environmental and Conservation Research at the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), University of East London (UEL). For 20 years he was Senior Peatland Specialist in the Nature Conservancy Council and subsequently in Scottish Natural Heritage. During this time he was involved in various high-profile conservation cases, including the battle for the Flow Country in northern Scotland.  For 16 years he was also Chairman of the International Mire Conservation Group (IMCG), the international network of peatland specialists who provide advice about peatland conservation issues. 

Richard helped to establish the Peatland Programme in 2009 and has since acted in an advisory capacity, producing and supporting many of our publications and educational resources. Richard has a keen interest in the use of virtual reality as a tool for research and education, and is the architect of our Virtual Peatland Pavilions. 

Find out more about Richard’s work. 

Mark Reed is Professor of Rural Entrepreneurship and Director of the Natural Capital Challenge Centre at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). He has over 200 publications that have been cited over 30,000 times, with over half in the top 10% most cited worldwide, and has led >20 projects as Principal Investigator worth >£4.5M. He led research that contributed to the development of the Peatland Code and sits on its Executive Board, and is Co-Chair of UNEP’s Global Peatland Initiative Research Working Group. Find out more about his work.