Conservation charity Save the Rhino has appointed one of its former volunteers as its next chief executive.

Jo Shaw will take the role in July after working in wildlife conservation for 25 year and starting her career as a volunteer with the charity.

She joins from the World Wildlife Fund where she has worked since 2012, most recently as its senior manager leading conservation of African rhinos.

She has also worked as a programme officer at wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC and as a consultant at the Frankfurt Zoological Society.

“I am incredibly excited to be joining the Save the Rhino team,” she said.

“It now feels like I am going full circle, returning to a new challenge with an organisation I admire and know well. I am looking forward to starting with the team later this year and working alongside Save the Rhino’s partners around the world to enhance African and Asian rhino conservation.” 

Shaw replaces Cathy Dean, who has led Save the Rhino for more than 20 years and is taking up a new role with the charity.

“Having worked alongside Jo in various projects over the last two decades, I know she will be a great CEO for Save the Rhino,” said Dean.
“Her extensive knowledge of the complex issues within rhino conservation is clear, and I am delighted to be handing over the reins to such an experienced and talented colleague.”

Save the Rhino chair George Stephenson added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Jo as Save the Rhino International’s new CEO. Jo’s significant expertise in rhino conservation, and her leadership and collaboration across international conservation projects, make her the ideal individual to step into this role at a crucial time for rhinos.”

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