Paul Harrison is a nature business entrepreneur and seasoned conservationist who excels at bridging the gap between high-level international policy and the technical, operational delivery of nature-focused technology. As the Chairman and founder of Wild Connect, he steers a bold initiative to reconnect people to nature while providing businesses with the rigorous frameworks needed to monitor their environmental impact and develop genuine green credentials.
His leadership is defined by over 25 years of experience across Africa, Asia, South America, and Europe, where he has mastered the intersection of conservation strategy, field biodiversity, and finance. Paul’s ability to oversee the rollout of complex technical solutions is grounded in a career of scaling massive initiatives; as a former Global Advisor to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), he spearheaded and directed the US$131 million Global Wildlife Programme. This role required him to coordinate a multi-partner response to illegal wildlife trade—integrating data and strategy from the UN and World Bank—while managing a portfolio of ecosystem initiatives that secured over US$450 million in nature financing.
Paul’s approach is that of a systems thinker who translates global environmental challenges into actionable, commercial business strategies. This practical focus was established early in his career when he transformed a degraded 3,850-acre commercial farm in Tanzania into a thriving woodland through rewilding and modernisation, managing a workforce of 200 with full P&L control. Whether engaging with Heads of State or managing on-the-ground technical surveys, Paul ensures that natural resource management is both scientifically grounded and financially viable.
A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Paul has contributed his expertise to several influential bodies, having served as a member of the WWF UK Impact Goals Committee (2019–2025) and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (2014–2025). He holds an Executive MBA with distinction from Warwick Business School, specialising in social and environmental sustainability.