The Team

Professor David Hill CBE DL DPhil(Oxon).​

David founded the Environment Bank in 2006 through which he developed the concept and was the architect of biodiversity net gain, successfully implemented into law in the Environment Act 2021, creating the first global compliance-based biodiversity market. A passionate nature conservationist, David was a founding Board member and previously Deputy Chair of Natural England, the government’s statutory advisers on nature conservation, Board Member of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, a member of the government’s Ecosystem Markets Taskforce, Chairman of Plantlife International and Chair of the Northern Uplands Nature Partnership. He is currently a Board member of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, a Commissioner with the Food Farming and Countryside Commission, Board Trustee of the Woodland Trust and member of the Science Board of Fera (previously the Food and Environment Research Agency). His work on promoting the importance of nature finance and the role of environmental markets, backed by his extensive experience in the land-based sectors, is changing the shape and pace of nature restoration.​

 

Ian Dunn BSc MBA MSt FRGS.

Ian has enjoyed a highly varied career encompassing 25 years in the private sector, living and working for over 15 years in Japan, Brazil, Belgium and Holland.  He has sat on Company Boards throughout Asia, Middle East, South America, and Europe. Leaving the corporate world in 2009 to follow his wider interests in the natural environment, Ian has since worked with the British Antarctic Survey, as CEO at The Galapagos Conservation Trust, COO at the University of Southampton and until September 2024 as CEO at Plantlife International. He has also held Board positions in NGOs including at the Scottish Association of Marine Science (Treasurer and Vice Chair), Jane Goodall Institute, United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust (Vice Chair) and Bees for Development.  He’s led and consulted at organisations with a turnover in the many £Billions with thousands of employees based in many countries, through to those much smaller with just a handful of staff.  With a deep love of listening, learning and sharing, Ian has focused on delivering strategic change and impact across multiple sectors. He is committed to working with like-minded people and organisations also determined on making a difference for the recovery of the natural world.

 

James Cross

James is a recognised leader and visionary in environmental finance, marine management, and sustainable policy innovation. His career has been defined by his ability to lead high-impact organisations and deliver scalable, revenue-generating solutions for global nature restoration.

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Currently, James serves as Chair of Howell Marine Consultancy—a UK-based firm that delivers cutting-edge blue economy solutions through expert marine management—and as Chair of Ocean and Coastal Futures, an organisation devoted to advancing sustainable practices in marine and coastal environments. In addition, he is the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Nature, a pioneering nature ratings agency dedicated to quantifying and enhancing natural capital.

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During a distinguished career, James has held several key CEO roles. As Chief Executive Officer of the Environment Bank, he spearheaded the deployment of a £240 million investment that not only operationalised England’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) policy but also set a new benchmark for integrating environmental sustainability with robust financial performance. His success as CEO at Natural England and at the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) further underscored his expertise in leading major public sector organisations. In these roles, he was instrumental in establishing England’s Marine Planning system, launching the Marine Licensing regime, creating the nation’s inaugural network of Marine Conservation Zones, and the England Coastal Path.

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During his tenure in the UK Civil Service, he served across HM Inland Revenue, HM Customs & Excise, and the Ministry of Justice—leading the high-profile independent investigation into the failings at Leeds Magistrates’ Court and reviewing the reforms of the Northern Ireland Coroners Service following the Good Friday Agreement.

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In addition to his executive leadership, James served for seven years on the Board of the University of Teesside, where he chaired the Audit and Risk Committee. He was also a member of DEFRA’s Executive Committee—the premier non-political decision-making body within the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

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A Chartered Director, James is also an accomplished executive coach—holding a Diploma in Executive Coaching from AOEC—and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors. His multifaceted career and proven track record in executive leadership continue to influence the future of environmental stewardship and sustainable economic development.