Jake Fiennes Keynote Speaker

Director, Holkham National Nature Reserve
Co-Chair, Natural England NNR Advisory Group
Chaired Agri-Food Systems Day, COP29 Baku (2024)

Jake Fiennes's Biography

Jake Fiennes is a nationally and internationally respected conservation leader with 30+ years’ experience restoring and managing landscapes at scale. As Director of Holkham National Nature Reserve—at the heart of a 25,000-acre estate—he oversees sustainable, environmental agriculture while balancing biodiversity recovery with access for over one million visitors annually. His work shows how productive land can deliver thriving ecosystems, resilient farms and meaningful public benefit.

Jake’s career has harnessed farming, forestry and land management as tools for nature recovery. He leads regenerative farming and habitat restoration that integrates science with farm business, reversing declines and strengthening rural economies through “environmental” or multifunctional farming.

He brings governance expertise as Co-Chair of Natural England’s National Nature Reserves Steering Group, a member of the England Species Reintroductions Taskforce, and a panel member on the UK Government’s Glover Review of National Parks and AONBs. These roles connect frontline delivery with national policy—bridging government, NGOs and the private sector to accelerate impact.

Internationally, Jake represented UK nature recovery at COP26 in Glasgow and chaired the Agri-Food Systems Summit at COP29 in Baku—helping shape global debate on land use, climate and biodiversity. He continues to share practical frameworks with the scientific community and policymakers.

Author of the critically acclaimed Land Healer (BBC Books, 2022; paperback 2023), Jake is a prominent public voice on regenerative land management. In 2025 he joined the judging panel for the Schöffel Countryside Awards, recognising “working conservation” across the UK. In keynotes, he unites diverse stakeholders behind ambitious, science-led nature recovery—turning policy into action.

Sustainable and regenerative agriculture

Nature recovery at scale and multi-functional land use

Species recovery and reintroduction: policy to practice

Private land ownership: responsibilities and opportunity

Climate adaptation, land use change and species migration

He brings over 30 years of authority restoring landscapes at scale, showing how productive land can deliver biodiversity recovery, resilient farming and lasting public value./p>
He translates regenerative farming and habitat science into practical land management models that strengthen ecosystems while sustaining viable rural businesses.
He bridges frontline delivery and national policy through senior governance roles, helping leaders align conservation ambition with economic and operational reality.
He brings global perspective from representing UK nature recovery at COP26 and chairing agri-food and land use discussions at COP29.
His keynotes unite farmers, policymakers, corporates and communities behind science-led nature recovery that turns strategy and policy into measurable action.