At the Wild Trout Trust, we’re privileged to have a brilliant Board of Trustees. Among this prestigious group is George Seligman, who has been sharing his wisdom with us for eight years. We’re delighted to say that George was recently awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, in recognition of his services to the environment.
Before retiring in 2012, George enjoyed a 38-year career as a corporate lawyer with Slaughter and May. Since then, he has devoted his time to farming in the Test Valley and supporting a wide range of charitable and environmental causes. He is also a Trustee of Countryside Learning, the Wheelyboat Trust, and Wessex Rivers Trust (having recently stepped down after 14 years as Chair for the latter).
Simon Francis, our own Chair, said of the news: “George has actively and tirelessly led the regeneration of trout and river habitats — both with the Wild Trout Trust and other NGOs, and in a private capacity. It’s fitting and heartening that his efforts have been recognised with an MBE, showing that trout, their habitats, and those who conserve them are nationally important.”
Shaun Leonard, our Director, added: “George has brought a degree of fiscal and business rigour that we previously lacked. He is an extraordinarily insightful and incisive thinker — essential traits for a small charity that, by necessity, operates on small budgets and extremely tight margins. We’re so pleased that George’s voluntary efforts for us, and many other charities, have been recognised.”
From everyone at the Wild Trout Trust, many congratulations to George on this well-deserved honour!
