ENVIRONMENT BANK NEWS
Welcome to Environment Bank's new CEO
We’re truly excited to welcome Catherine Spitzer as our new Chief Executive Officer. She brings with her an enormous wealth of experience in implementing transformative growth strategies.
As CEO, Catherine will oversee our strategic direction, working closely with stakeholders to develop our innovative BNG solutions for developers in England. She will also oversee Environment Bank’s voluntary biodiversity market product, Nature Shares, enabling large corporations to achieve their nature-positive ambitions.
For more than seven years, Catherine previously served as Managing Director of property consulting firm Bidwells LLP, so she brings with her valuable expertise in the built environment sector.
On joining us, Catherine said:
"I am delighted to join Environment Bank and to have the opportunity to contribute to such important work. This is a very exciting new phase for the company with the BNG regulations coming into force in February. I am looking forward with working with developers and delivering the highest integrity BNG solutions in the market.”
A fond farewell
We also bid farewell to our outgoing CEO, James Cross. Before joining us in 2018, James was CEO of Natural England and Urban Green Newcastle. In his six years at Environment Bank, James’ expertise in growing and developing new environmental organisations has been invaluable.
James said:
“Working alongside Professor David Hill and building such an amazing team has been a career highlight for me. With the BNG regulations passing into law in February 2024, the time is right for me to now pass on the baton to Catherine. I wish her and the whole team the very best of luck for the next phase of their journey.”
James’ impact on Environment Bank has been profound. On behalf of the whole team, our Founder and Chairman, Professor David Hill CBE, wanted to show our gratitude:
“We extend our thanks to James for his many years of service and leadership. His passion for conservation and his strategic focus and expertise across the land-based sectors has been instrumental in shaping Environment Bank’s success. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavours.”
A warm welcome
David also offered Catherine a warm welcome to the team, expressing confidence in her ability to lead Environment Bank into its next phase:
"Catherine brings a unique combination of private equity investment, leadership, commercial experience, and delivery to Environment Bank. We are excited to have her on board to lead the next stage of growth."
Environment Bank has had an eventful year so far and we’ve got much yet to look forward to as summer approaches. In Catherine’s capable hands, we’re excited to see what the future holds.