John Muir Trust appoints former Mountaineering Scotland chief David Gibson as new chair
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A wild land charity which owns many Highland areas including Knoydart, Sandwood Bay and the summit of Ben Nevis has appointed a new chair.
David Gibson is taking on the role for the John Muir Trust (JMT) where he has recently served as a trustee.
The experienced trekker, Munroist and business manager has taken on the role of chair after retiring as the chief executive with Mountaineering Scotland in 2018. David worked at board level in commercial development for over 20 years before becoming CEO in 2006.
Since leaving Mountaineering Scotland two years ago, Mr Gibson has served as a trustee for the JMT and is now looking forward to a more senior role in the organisation, which he believes has a positive future.
He said: “The trust can make a real difference to people’s lives and to the landscape. It is a catalyst for change; whether managing the renewal of land with local partners, working to change land management practices or inspiring more people from all walks of life to enjoy and protect wild places.
“I’m confident in our team and, thanks to our members and supporters, I’m confident about the future stability of the trust. At the core of the organisation is a community of shared values built on mutual understanding and commitment to wild places.”
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Mr Gibson first became a John Muir Trust member in 2007, after a memorable day on the hill.
He explained: “It was an inspirational visit to Li and Coire Dhorrcail with Terry Isles in 2007 that sealed the deal for me. Terry had helped plant trees 30 years before and wanted to see the progress. That visit, the amazing setting and talking with Terry convinced me that the trust can make a real difference to our experience of wild land.”
Dundee-based Mr Gibson is no stranger to affirmative action for wild places: “In my time at Mountaineering Scotland, we sometimes took a high-profile stance against inappropriate development in the mountains. It was a team effort, often working in partnership with other environmental NGOs including the John Muir Trust.
“I hope I can serve the organisation with enthusiasm, openness, good humour and confidence in what we do.”
David originally moved from Oxford in 1983 for work and soon caught the mountain bug: “I immediately loved the sense of freedom and peace in the hills and wild places. I can still remember my first Munros very clearly – Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers – climbed on a fantastic sunny day. Work took me back south in 1986 but I spent the next 10 years trying to get back! I finally made it in 1997.”
He has since trekked throughout the world and is on his second Munro round, although these days it’s about much more than just getting to the top: “Scotland has so much to offer, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else – mountains, islands, forests, a wonderful coastline, space to breathe, family and friends.”
Mr Gibson replaced Peter Pearson as chair and the JMT said it thanked him for his huge contribution to the trust and wishes him more time on the hill, "free of a mountain of papers to climb!"
