President
Dr. Mike Morecroft is an ecologist and is currently Head of Climate Change Science at Natural England. He is also a Visiting Professor at Reading University and was a Coordinating Lead Author on ecosystems for the IPCC 6th Assessment Report Working Group II (impacts and adaptation). Click here for more information.
Vice-Presidents
Dr John Sale is a consultant on biodiversity conservation in Africa and Asia, both as an academic and a UN Chief Technical Adviser to national governments on post-graduate training and research on wildlife. He is the author of numerous papers on mammal biology and technical aspects of the conservation of tropical species and their habitats, ranging from elephants and rhinos to orang-utans. One of the founders of JRI and presently its International Secretary.
Professor Robert White is a geologist by training and has worked mostly in research, using a wide variety of geological and geophysical tools to study the Earth’s crust. He has engaged in numerous research field trips, mostly to study rifts and volcanoes. He is currently Professor of Geophysics and a Fellow of St. Edmunds College at Cambridge University. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a Fellow of the Geological Society of London.
Revd Dr John Weaver was born and brought up in Cardiff. After taking degrees in Geology at Swansea, he taught at the University of Derby. John trained for Baptist ministry in Oxford. Click here for more information.
Directors
Rev’d Rich Clarkson (Chair) is Rector of five rural parishes in North Shropshire. He has degrees in Physics and Theology and wrote his Master’s dissertation on Nature Contemplation in the writing of Maximus the Confessor. He is a Diocesan Environmental Officer for Lichfield Diocese, and most importantly he is dad to three wild boys!
Shân Dobinson (Executive Secretary and Company Secretary) Shân Dobinson ran for over 30 years Trinity Training which provided training and coaching in management, sales and communication, as well as foster care, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. She also chaired the Board of Luther King House Educational Trust in Manchester, was a non-executive director of the OM ships and was Chair of her local Parish Council. She is now a Trustee of three local charities, has recently set up two village youth clubs (for which she won the BBC Make A Difference Community Group Award in 2025) and is on the Steering Group of the Germinate Leadership Programme for rural ministry under the umbrella of the Arthur Rank Centre.
Revd Margot Hodson (Theology and Education Director) is focused on teaching and researching how faith, community and the environment connect. She is associate tutor for Environmental Theology at Ripon College, Cuddesdon and All Nations Christian College. Margot is ordained in the Anglican Church, and has previously been Rector of Wychert Vale in Buckinghamshire and Chaplain of Jesus College, Oxford. She is a member of Grove Ethics Committee, Chairs the steering group of the Theological Colleges Environmental Network (TCEN) and is on the Glebe Committee of the Oxford Diocese. For details of her publications click here.
Dr Martin Hodson (Principal Tutor of the CRES course) He is a plant scientist and environmental biologist, and a former Principal Lecturer, and now Visiting Researcher at Oxford Brookes University. Click here for more information.
Anne Scott has been a Primary School Teacher for 27 years, more recently focusing on leading Forest School and teaching Sustainability. She is currently leading a church-plant in the Belgrave area of Leicester and gathering a network of Forest Churches within the Diocese of Leicester.
Shelly Dennison is a freelance writer and communications consultant supporting not-for-profits. Particular areas of expertise include environmental projects and campaigns, history and heritage, and informal learning.
Treasurer (non-Director)
Mr Olaniyi Soaga
Olaniyi combines financial acumen with a fervour for empowering young people and safeguarding the environment. As a father of three, he recognises the significance of advocating for youth to achieve their utmost potential and actively contribute to their communities. In his leadership capacities within several youth initiatives in South East London, he encourages sportsmanship and teamwork among the younger generation. Olaniyi’s unwavering commitment extends to integrating scientific knowledge, faith, and practical action, all aimed at nurturing sustainable development within the JRI. His unwavering dedication embodies a vision for a brighter future for generations to come.
Patrons
Lady Elizabeth Catherwood
Rt Revd Richard Chartres KCVO was the Bishop of London (1995-2017) and formerly Bishop of Stepney (1992-1995), a London vicar (1984-1992), and Chaplain to Robert Runcie while Bishop of St Albans and then at Canterbury. His publications include Religion, Science and the Environment.
Lord John Gummer, Baron Deben, was formerly Secretary of State for Environment (1993-97), and MP for Suffolk Coastal. He was Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1989-93), Minister for London, Employment Minister and Paymaster General. He was first elected an MP in 1970. He is active in the promotion of the European cause, and well known for his detailed presentation of European business issues. While at MAFF he chaired the European Council of Agriculture Ministers during the negotiations for GATT, and represented EU Ministers in Chicago during the final stages of the trade negotiations. He has earned worldwide respect both in the business community and among environmentalists – Friends of the Earth called him “the best Environment Secretary we have ever had”. Since leaving office he has been appointed Chairman of the International Commission on Sustainable Consumption and Chairman of the Marine Stewardship Council. He is Chairman of THE SANCROFT GROUP, which is active in environmental, ethical and health and safety consultancy. John Gummer was a keynote speaker at Forum 2002, an Anglo-American climate change conference.
Professor Sir Ghillean Prance FRS Ghillean Prance is Visiting Professor at Reading University, and Scientific Director of the Eden Project, Cornwall. He was formerly Director of Kew Botanic Gardens. Prance spent many years in Amazonian Brazil doing botanical exploration and taxonomy, and has lived with 16 indian tribes. He has written over 300 papers on plant systematics, plant ecology, ethnobotany and conservation – and 13 books including A Passion for Plants: From the Rainforest of Brazil to Kew Gardens (Lion, 1995) and The Earth Under Threat – A Christian Perspective (Wild Goose, 1996).
Sir Meuric Rees CBE Meuric Rees is a farmer, Christian, and was formerly Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd.
Emeritus Professor Calvin DeWitt Cal DeWitt was formerly Director of Au Sable Institute for Environmental Studies, Wisconsin, USA – preparing hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students for environmental careers integrated with biblical worldviews. His publications include “Creation’s environmental challenge to evangelical Christianity” in The Care of Creation (IVP, 2000). Also see further information and an interview in Grist magazine.
Staff
Rev James Watterson (Operations and Development Manager) is a former Baptist minister who splits his time between JRI and a fundraising role at Christian Aid. Click here for more information.
Mrs Lynda McKeown (CRES Administrator) was a primary school teacher and music teacher.
Mrs Karen Vincent (Administration and Technical Support) is a Tertiary Franciscan. She has been employed as a Parish Worker, and in library and information services for a local authority.