Andy has led Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland since July 2008. The campaigning organisation has over 200 local groups and thousands of supporters who take action across the country. His leadership has led to a growth in the numbers of people campaigning with the Charity on a range of environment issues.

During his time at Friends of the Earth Andy's successes include the recent introduction of a National Pollinator Strategy to help save our declining bee species and achieving commitments from global companies to find a fairer way to mine the tin used in mobile phones.

Also, under his leadership in 2012, the organisation brought certainty to the solar industry following a successful legal challenge to Government plans to cut the feed-in-tariff. He leaves the organisation with a number of strong coalitions with other NGOs on both action for the climate and restoring our natural world.

Andy Atkins, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth, said: "I've loved leading Friends of the Earth. But, after seven years, it's the right time for me to move on to a new challenge and for someone else to lead the organisation into the next phase of its strategy under the new government.

"I'm proud of what Friends of the Earth – staff, volunteers, local groups and supporters - have achieved under my leadership. We've had some major campaign wins, from getting the Government to create an action plan to save the bee, to helping ensure the UK continues to remain frack-free. And, our Big Ideas project is providing answers to some of the thorniest environmental questions.

"I'm very pleased to leave Friends of the Earth in good working order for the years to come, with a strong vision and mission and new important campaigns in the pipeline - I've no doubt it will continue to push for the change needed to create a healthier world for all of us."

Roger Clarke, Chair of Friends of the Earth Board, said: "It has been a privilege working with Andy Atkins, and he should be immensely gratified by what he has achieved at Friends of the Earth.

"We know that the world faces many serious challenges, not least stopping dangerous climate change and helping nature to thrive again – Andy's successor will need to build on the strong foundations he has put in place, so that we can create even bigger and better campaigns.

"Although we are sad to lose Andy, this is now an opportunity to reach out to a range of inspiring candidates from broad and diverse backgrounds, who will help us to further build our supporter base and take us to the next level as an organisation."

Friends of the Earth will begin recruitment for the role shortly.

LINKS
Friends of the Earth
Big Ideas Change the World project