Dear John,

As one of our committed, crucial supporters, I am writing to let you know ahead of a wider announcement that as of 2 September 2023, I will be stepping down as Executive Director of Population Matters.

The decision became clear to me on my 65th birthday while away on holiday with my family. None of us know how long we have left here on Earth. Hitting sixty-five made me think hard as to what I might do with the 5, 10, 15 or so years left.

I was fortunate to find my way into environmental campaigning and communications long before there were any specific environmental degrees. In 1985, I simply turned up at Friends of the Earth’s offices offering to volunteer while looking for a teaching job. A few months later, Chernobyl blew-up and from that dark cloud came the silver-lining of a paid role tracking radioactive fall-out across the UK. Since then, I have worked in or around the environment movement, which has provided me with many wonderful, often humbling, opportunities and connected me with some amazing people and places around the world - which you can read more of in this blog:

My connection with Population Matters goes back over 12 years, with stints undertaking freelance projects, as a trustee, and being offered the job of Executive Director previously in 2010. I turned it down then because the context was even more challenging, resources were tight, and I had a young daughter with additional needs to support. I am grateful to have been approached again in 2016 to take on the role, which I am very glad I did.

It might have been tempting to just take off 3 months or so as a sabbatical. But I recognise that Population Matters needs a fresh face and voice, working alongside our staff team, to seize the opportunities and exploit the openings that are there and increasing, and to push past the negative stereotyping that any individual or organisation concerned with population issues can be subject to. Related to that, I commend our President, Jonathon Porritt’s blog, coinciding with World Population Day, which exposes such stereotyping and the ‘wilful denial’ by some that population is a core, underlying environmental issue.

Population Matters has come a long way over the past 7 years that I have been privileged to be in post – our progress dependent upon and underpinned by the generous donations of our members and supporters like you. Colleagues past and present, with the oversight of the Boards that have spanned my time, have worked hard to dispel those lingering negative stereotypes - our new 'people power' report being a good example - and cleared the way for new, exciting partnerships and fresh, more diverse voices to join our own, as our latest magazine demonstrates.

Whilst I am sad and a little envious (!) of not being able to enjoy and be part of seizing those increasing opportunities and working with that exciting diversity of people and partners from across the world, it is time to pass on the baton.

With a strong and aligned leadership team and the best, biggest and broadest operational team the charity has ever had (in terms of knowledge, experience and positive attitude), I am confident and pleased to be leaving Population Matters in good heart and capable hands while my successor is recruited by the Board.

Population Matters' primary purpose is and remains as a campaigning organisation working on the issue of human population growth and its impacts upon people and planet, and promoting the available, positive solutions. In that mission and purpose, Population Matters is unique amongst UK charities and one of a select number active internationally - which is why your continued support is so critical for the organisation and its future. For me, that future is a short break while I work out where and how I might best make a 'positive nuisance' of myself next!

Thank you again for your support, committed interest, and much appreciated encouragement over the past 7 years.

All very best wishes,

Robin Maynard
Executive Director