Professor right on Kew to take charge (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Professor right on Kew to take charge

10:54am Friday 26th May 2006

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The new director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was announced this week and he's set to jet in from sunnier climes.

Professor Stephen D Hopper is due to take charge of the world's largest collection of plants in October this year, when incumbent director Peter Crane heads home to Chicago after seven years.

Currently professor of plant conservation biology at the University of Western Australia, Professor Hopper is the former director of Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth.

Lord Selborne, Chairman of Trustees at Kew, said: "We are fortunate to have found in Stephen Hopper an unusual combination of excellence in plant science research and conservation, coupled with in-depth experience of managing a large and complex visitor attraction.

"We look forward to working with Professor Hopper in the years ahead and especially the planning leading up to Kew's 250th Anniversary celebrations in 2009."

Professor Hopper has broad experience in plant science and plant conservation and is the author of more than 200 publications, including eight books. He is a passionate conservation biologist and has been engaged in practical plant conservation for almost 30 years.

For seven years he was Director of King's Park and Botanic Garden in Perth, followed by five years as CEO of the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, an Australian Government body run by an independent board.

He said: "I am delighted to accept the post at Kew. With its worldwide profile, important national and local presence, and rich diversity of botanical and mycological programmes, Kew is superbly placed to speak for, inspire and demonstrate best practice in plant conservation the basis of life on earth, and one of the world's greatest challenges."

Professor Hopper, who is married with three children, is already known to some of the staff at Kew and participated in the 2001 Science Audit, which provided an introduction to Kew's scientific work.

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