BirdWatch Ireland appoints new chief executive
BirdWatch Ireland has announced the appointment of Dr Andrew Kelly as its new chief executive.
Andrew has a background of senior leadership in a range of organisations, most recently including seven years as chief executive of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA)
He previously spent three years as director of the UK-based animal protection charity Freedom for Animals.
Andrew holds a first-class honours degree in zoology from the University of Glasgow and a PhD in evolutionary ecology from the University of Leeds.
Following a number of years of post-doctoral research working on a wide range of species, including birds, sea turtles, and invertebrates, Andrew moved into the animal welfare charity sector.
He became manager of the RSPCA’s largest wildlife rehabilitation centre for six years, where he developed a programme to measure post-release survival of rehabilitated wildlife.
This was followed by two years as the head of the RSPCA’s wildlife department, where he was responsible for developing and implementing RSPCA policy on wild animal welfare.
Andrew has also worked as a wildlife policy advisor for Humane Society International and was a board member of Species Survival Network for two years.
Andrew will replace Linda Lennon as chief executive of BirdWatch Ireland, who has successfully steered the organisation through the last three years and will step down from the position in July.
Commenting on the new appointment, BirdWatch Ireland chairperson Jim Fitzharris said:
“We are very pleased to welcome Andrew on board as our new chief executive. Thanks to the excellent work of Linda Lennon, the organisation is now on a sound footing, both financially and operationally.
"We are confident that Andrew can continue to build on this to ensure that BirdWatch Ireland stays at the forefront of responsible environmental advocacy in this country.
"The natural environment is in trouble in Ireland, and we need a strong organisation to help reverse this critical situation.
"The board is looking forward to working with Andrew to help us achieve our ambition.”
Andrew Kelly said that he is “delighted and excited" to be joining BirdWatch Ireland.
"I have long admired the fantastic conservation and education work being done by BWI and it is an honour to be able to join Ireland’s largest independent conservation organisation.
"As a keen birdwatcher, I have been passionate about birds and wildlife in general since I was very young. Ireland’s birds face many challenges with many being at serious risk – I am looking forward to working with the BWI team and its supporters to create a bright future for Ireland’s birds," he said.
Andrew will join the organisation at the beginning of June 2025.
BirdWatch Ireland aims to conserve wild birds and their natural habitats. Established in 1968, the charity has over 15,000 members and a growing network of local branches.
