Friends of the Earth announces new board chair

Environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth has appointed a new board chair.  

Barry Johnston is stepping up from his current position as vice chair to succeed Dr Eva Neitzert, who is stepping down after two years as co-chair and chair, and four and a half years on the board.

Outgoing chair Dr Eva Neitzert, who is stepping down at the end of November, said:  

“It’s been a huge privilege to be on Friends of the Earth’s board for the past four and a half years, and to serve as co-chair and chair for the last two years.

“Friends of the Earth is a unique organisation with a rich history of delivering the most important wins to further climate and environmental justice.  

“Most recently the organisation has celebrated landmark court wins working alongside communities to quash planning permission for oil drilling at Horse Hill, the Whitehaven coal mine, and the Larne Lough gas caverns.”

Incoming chair Barry Johnston has been on Friends of the Earth’s board since 2022 and has experience working in advocacy and campaigns with NGOs including Amnesty International, ActionAid, the Malala Fund and Christian Aid.  

In 2019, he co-founded Purpose Union, a strategy and communications firm that works on social and environmental justice campaigns.  

Barry Johnston, who starts his new position from Friday 29 Nov, said:  

“Friends of the Earth has always played a vital role at the heart of the climate justice movement in the UK and around the world.  

“A decade ago, I worked alongside the organisation’s talented and dedicated campaigners and activists to help secure the historical Paris climate agreement, get the UK to commit to world leading emissions reduction in the fourth carbon budget and fight back against the Lobbying Act that was designed to tie the hands of campaigners.

“As chair, I feel a huge sense of responsibility to help ensure Friends of the Earth is the vibrant, diverse and effective campaigning force that’s needed to create the just and healthy planet we all deserve. With our incredible volunteers, donors, staff and global partners, we’re up for it.”

Notes:
1. Headshots of Barry Johnston and Dr Eva Neitzert are available upon request