For the past three decades, Steve has been a passionate defender of our natural world. His professional career began as an investigator and campaigner against the illegal wildlife trade, illegal logging, and the illicit trade in ozone-depleting chemicals. As the Campaigns Director for the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and now as CEO of EJF, Steve has led investigations documenting the corrupt, brutal and devastating practices that have damaged wildlife populations and natural ecosystems across Asia, Africa and South America.

Steve is also a founding Director of WildAid, served as President and led the China and India programmes to reduce the illegal wildlife trade. Steve oversaw successful campaigns, compelling films and partnerships, using the strapline “When the buying stops, the killing can too”.

Steve is a gifted strategist and orator who has created “surgical” campaigns that reach the highest levels of political decision-making. His tireless dedication has secured changes to policies, laws and enforcement, business and public behaviours that have greatly improved the governance of our natural world.

With a determination to amplify the voice of the communities that live alongside some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems, Steve devised an activist training programme to provide training, essential equipment, and support to environmental defenders. He is committed to protecting the rights of those people who are most dependent upon the conservation of the natural world and to bringing ignored issues into the spotlight.