Ian Mercer

Ian Mercer has a long and distinguished career specialising in rural conservation and environmental issues. Born in Wolverhampton, he studied Geography at the University of Birmingham (BA Hons) before moving to Devon, where he has resided since. In 1990 he was appointed as the first Chief Executive of the Countryside Council of Wales, tasked with combining the then Nature Conservancy Council and the Countryside Commission in the Principality. In 1995 Professor Mercer was awarded the CBE for services to the environment in Wales and he is honorary Professor of Rural Conservation Practice at the University of Wales. He is currently President of the Field Studies Council and of the Devon Wildlife Trust and he has been Chairman of Devon Rural Network. Professor Mercer is a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies and a Fellow of the Landscape Institute.