John Sauven, dressed in cold weather gear, smiles in a casual pose, standing in front of a white wall of ice.
|
  • Article

“One of Greenpeace’s great captains” – Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven to step down after 14 years

Greenpeace UK
Greenpeace UK

John Sauven is stepping down as executive director of Greenpeace UK after 14 years.

John joined Greenpeace in 1991. As a forest campaigner, he was instrumental in getting protection for the Great Bear rainforest in Canada, and halting further destruction of the Amazon by soya producers.

Three activists stand on a stage in cold weather gear. One speaks into a microphone.
On stage with Indigenous activists during the Save the Arctic campaign.

After being appointed executive director in 2007, John led the organisations on many high-profile climate campaigns, including:

When Greenpeace activists were arrested by Russian security forces in the Arctic and held in prison for over two months, he steered the organisation through one of the most difficult times in its history.

A life-long forest campaigner, in 2013 John also helped negotiate a landmark agreement to protect the Indonesian rainforest. In recent years, he campaigned to stop fracking in the UK, cut plastic waste and protect the oceans from destructive fishing and other industries.

Pat Venditti is Greenpeace UK’s interim executive director

Pat Venditti speaking into a microphone at an official event
Pat Venditti speaking at an event on air pollution.

The board has appointed programme director Pat Venditti as interim executive director.

Pat has been in charge of our campaigning programme for the past seven years, and will lead Greenpeace UK while we recruit a permanent new executive director.

John will step down as executive director on 1 February and will stay on to advise and support the interim executive director until 31 March to ensure a smooth transition.