TIDY Northern Ireland welcomes Dr Ian Humphreys as their new Chief Executive Officer.

After 14 years with Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland, the new CEO replaces Ian Cole, who is taking early retirement after six successful years in the post. During Ian Cole's time TIDY Northern Ireland has gone from strength to strength, and he hands over an organisation that is well equipped to tackle the environmental and litter problems that face the province.

Married with three children and living in South Belfast, Ian Humphreys' strong environmental credentials include a background in agricultural zoology with degrees from The University of Leeds and The Queen's University of Belfast, research experience in biochemistry and forestry, and hobbies such as bird surveying and helping to manage Lighthouse Island ASSI.

Whilst with CVNI Ian was responsible for developing, managing and fundraising for a range of successful initiatives all encouraging people to take practical action to improve their local environment. These included the schools-based 'Growth in Grounds', the 'Millennium Tree Campaign' (in which 80,000 people helped to plant 1.5 million trees across Northern Ireland), 'Environments for All' working with disadvantaged and ethnic minority communities and the well known 'Green Gym' health project.

He is now eagerly looking forward to bringing this experience to bear on the new challenges awaiting him at TIDY Northern Ireland, including getting Northern Ireland Tidy!