Strict haircap (Polytrichum strictum). Credit Emma Hinchliffe
Our Team
Find out more about who works for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme and how to contact us.
Programme team
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme Steering Group provides oversight on operational, governance and policy decisions for the whole IUCN UK Peatland Programme and the Peatland Code Team. Day-to-day operational decisions are made by the Peatland Code Team in accordance with approved procedures, while decisions relating to the Peatland Code methodology and development are overseen by the Executive Board.
Emma Hinchliffe (formerly Goodyer) - Director
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 and is responsible for:
- Strategic direction and delivery of the programme.
- Financial sustainability and fundraising.
- Oversight of programme governance arrangements.
- Oversight of the Peatland Code Team and programme delivery.
- Approval of programme work plans and outputs.
- Management of organisational risks and strategic priorities.
- Liaison with the Steering Group and other governance bodies.
emma.hinchliffe@iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670130
Jane Akerman - Programme Manager
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 role specialising in plant science, ecology and animal behaviour. 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 is responsible for:
- Day-to-day administration of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme.
- Coordination of programme staff and activities.
- Supporting in the delivery of programme workplans and outputs.
- Communications, events and stakeholder engagement.
- Operational management and continuous improvement of programme processes.
- Supporting implementation of decisions made by the Programme Steering Group and other governance bodies.
- Ensuring effective coordination across programme projects, publications and resources.
jane.akerman@iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670113
Jess Fìor-Berry (formerly Williams) - Policy Lead
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 the development of policy briefings, position statements and other strategic publications.
- Coordinating reporting against the UK Peatland Strategy and wider programme objectives.
- Producing issues briefs, consultation responses and policy-related communications.
- Representing the programme in policy discussions, consultations and stakeholder forums.
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Supporting the translation of scientific evidence and programme outputs into policy-relevant recommendations.
jessica.Fìor-Berry@iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670104
Helen Harper - Programme Officer
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
- Leading the development of technical briefings, reports, publications and supporting materials.
- Coordinating inputs from programme staff and external peatland experts to ensure outputs are evidence-based and scientifically robust.
- Supporting the development of guidance, consultation responses and strategic publications.
- Providing evidence and technical support to underpin programme decisions and communications.
helen.harper@iucn.org.uk; +44 (0) 1636 670129
Tanja Brueckmann-Rath
Tanja joined the team in January 2026 to support the delivery of the Conference and support in wider events planning. Tanja's main responsibilities are:
- Supporting delivery of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference.
- Coordinating and administering programme events and stakeholder meetings.
- Managing event logistics, communications and participant engagement.
- Supporting wider programme engagement and outreach activities.
Peatland Code team
Renée Kerkvliet-Hermans - Peatland Code Manager
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.
As Peatland Code Manager, Renee is responsible for
- Managing delivery of the Peatland Code workplan and strategic priorities.
- Supporting the implementation of governance decisions made by the Peatland Code Executive Board.
- Identifying opportunities for improvement and supporting the ongoing development of the Peatland Code.
- Providing oversight of partner projects and initiatives relating to the Peatland Code.
- Supporting the effective delivery of Peatland Code objectives and stakeholder engagement activities
- Leading on the scientific research which underpins the Peatland Code
renee.kerkvliet-hermans@iucn.org.uk ; +44 (0) 1636 670131
Garance Wood-Moulin - Peatland Code Development Lead
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.
Garance providing technical leadership and expertise to support the operation and continuous development of the Peatland Code and is responsible for:
- Maintaining quality assurance and quality control processes for Peatland Code standards, guidance and supporting documentation.
- Supporting the development, review and implementation of Peatland Code version updates and methodological improvements.
- Managing the Peatland Code's international accreditation activities and maintaining alignment with relevant standards and requirements.
- Coordinating engagement with independent validation and verification bodies and supporting their achievement and maintenance of United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation.
- Monitoring developments in nature finance, carbon markets and environmental standards to identify risks, opportunities and emerging best practice.
For information relating to accreditation, Peatland Code development, carbon and biodiversity markets please contact Garance.
gwmoulin@iucn.org.uk ; +44 (0) 1636 670108
Harriet Santon - Peatland Code Officer
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:
- Supporting the day-to-day administration and operation of the Peatland Code.
- Managing project registrations and supporting applicants through the registration process.
- Secretariat duties
- Responding to enquiries from project developers, landowners and other stakeholders.
- Supporting the administration of validation and verification processes.
- Maintaining project records and supporting registry administration activities.
- Assisting with Peatland Code training
Contact Harriet: peatlandcode@iucn.org.uk ; +44 (0) 1636 670132
Nadia Murphy - Peatland Code Officer
Peatland Code Officer Nadio Murphy.
Coming from Ireland and Singapore, Nadia has a strong interest in peatland conservation, and the role peatlands play in supporting biodiversity and climate resilience. She holds a BSc in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Kent, with a focus on ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, and an MSc in Environmental Protection and Management from the University of Edinburgh. During her postgraduate studies, she developed a particular appreciation for Scotland’s peatlands and their importance as nature-based solutions.
Following her academic work in the UK, she gained experience across various environmental sectors in Singapore and Canada. She joined the Peatland Code team from Foresight Canada, where she worked within the clean technology space, gaining experience in management systems and the support of project applications.
As a Peatland Code Officer, Nadia is responsible for the administration and support of Peatland code projects alongside the other Peatland Code Officer:
- Assisting with communications for project proponents.
- Managing project registrations and supporting applicants through the registration process.
- Responding to enquiries from project developers, landowners and other stakeholders.
- Supporting the administration of validation and verification processes including transfers, assignments.
- Maintaining project records and supporting registry administration activities.
- Reporting on peatland code stats, producing monthly reports.
Contact Nadia: peatlandcode@iucn.org.uk ; +44 (0) 1636 670132
Rochelle Kennedy - Biodiversity Crediting Project Manager
Rochelle Kennedy, Peatland Code Biodiversity Crediting Project Manager. Credit: Rochelle Kennedy.
Rochelle has a background in ecology, completing a BSc in Environmental Science with the Open University alongside working in ecology consultancy. In 2021 she moved to Scotland to begin a PhD and developed a particular interest in upland wildlife. The main focus of her PhD was to understand how different agricultural landscapes and farming practices impact on biodiversity, with a particular focus on moths and bats. As part of her PhD she also spent some time as an intern with Butterfly Conservation, working on exploring trends in moorland moth declines.
Rochelle’s role is to continue development of a biodiversity credit system that could be incorporated into both the Peatland Code and the Woodland Carbon Code.
- Providing technical expertise on measuring and monitoring biodiversity change.
- Working with partners to develop and test biodiversity quantification tools and methodologies.
- Supporting the integration of biodiversity outcomes into nature finance and environmental markets.
- Supporting pilot projects, testing and continuous improvement of biodiversity assessment approaches.
Research advisors
Richard Lindsay - Senior Research Advisor
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.
- Providing strategic scientific and technical advice to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme and Peatland Code via the Technical Advisory Board.
- Supporting the development of publications, guidance and educational resources.
- Contributing specialist expertise to programme projects and priorities.
- Leading innovation in peatland education and engagement, including development of the Virtual Peatlands Pavilions.
Mark Reed - Research Lead
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.