Carmel takes up the role in July 2025, bringing with her a deep personal connection to the Isle of Man, alongside leadership experience in conservation, public engagement and environmental education.

Carmel grew up in Kirk Michael and has an academic background in social science and public perception. She worked in public engagement in conservation in Brazil for 15 years, where she became CEO of Parque das Aves, a prominent conservation-focused bird park and ecotourism attraction in the Atlantic Rainforest with 900 000 visitors a year.

CEO of MWT, Graham Makepeace-Warne commented, “Carmel brings a proven track record of connecting people, communities, and economies with the benefits of nature conservation. She has strong experience fostering engagement and support for the protection and recovery of nature and I’m delighted to welcome her on board.”

Speaking about her new role, Carmel said: “I’m honoured to take over as Head of Engagement for MWT. Our new CEO’s vision is for a community and place where people and nature can thrive together, and which can be a beacon for environmental recovery. With the acquisition of significant new sites, including 1,124 acres at Glen Auldyn, temperate rainforest restoration initiatives and a number of exciting developments, it’s a great time to be joining MWT. Nature has a vital role to play in supporting the prosperity and wellbeing of people and communities, and I’m thrilled to contribute to that mission. Most of all, I feel incredibly fortunate to be working in nature conservation here at home, in the Isle of Man.”

MWT’s strategy sets out clear ambitions: to create a Nature Recovery Network across land and sea, to scale up Nature-Based Solutions, and to connect one in four people in the Island to nature through local action for wildlife. As Head of Engagement, Carmel will lead MWT’s work in public engagement, education, community partnerships, and communications, building on strong foundations to deepen public support for nature and help create a more sustainable and nature-connected future for the Island.