Professor Nicola Spence CBE appointed as new chair of Action Oak

Action Oak announce Professor Nicola Spence CBE as the partnership’s new Chair from October 2026, bringing over 35 years of experience in plant health, policy, and biosecurity.

(C) Andy Hall

Professor Spence recently retired from her position as Chief Plant Health Officer at DEFRA, where she advised ministers and oversaw the UK’s response to plant pests and diseases. Her work has strengthened UK biosecurity on threats such as ash dieback, Colorado beetle, and yellow-legged hornet and she has played a pivotal role in the development of Great Britain’s Plant Biosecurity Strategy.

Prior to her role at DEFRA, Professor Spence CBE worked in plant pathology research at Horticulture Research International and the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera), where she became Chief Scientist in 2009. Professor Spence also helped promote science and bioscience innovation in York, where she acted as the Chief Executive of Science City York.

Professor Nicola Spence CBE said: “whilst working at DEFRA, I have been able to see Action Oak develop and grow over a number of years and I am excited to play a bigger part in its future moving forward.”

Professor Spence began her academic career at the University of Durham where she gained her BSc in Botany. She later moved to Birkbeck College, University of London to study an MSc in Microbiology before beginning her PhD at the University of Birmingham. Her research focused on bean common mosaic virus in Africa. For her academic and professional services to plant health and biosecurity, Professor Spence was appointed Commander of the order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2022 New Years Honours.

Professor Spence CBE is the former president of the British Society for Plant Pathology, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Honorary Professor at the University of Birmingham Institute of Forestry, a Chair of Castle Howard Arboretum and a trustee at The Royal Horticultural Society.

Previous chair, Geraint Richards MVO OBE FICFor and Head Forester to the Duchy of Cornwall and to His Majesty The King said: “Nicola brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Action Oak. Her expertise will be invaluable as the organisation moves forward into a new era of exciting development.”

The team at Action Oak, and its host organisation The Royal Forestry Society, would like to thank Geraint Richards for his time and dedication as the partnership’s chair for the last seven years.

Please join the team in welcoming Professor Spence CBE to Action Oak.