Mark Reed

Mark Reed is an accomplished academic and leader with extensive experience in environmental research and rural entrepreneurship. Currently serving as Director of the Natural Capital Challenge Centre and Professor of Rural Entrepreneurship at SRUC, Mark also holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at Fast Track Impact Ltd, where the focus is on training researchers to apply their work for societal benefit. As Research Lead for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme and Co-Chair of the Global Peatlands Initiative Research Working Group with the UN Environment Programme, Mark plays a critical role in global peatland conservation efforts. Additional academic roles include Visiting Professor at multiple universities and holding a Research England funded chair in Socio-Technical Innovation at Newcastle University. Mark's academic qualifications include a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Environmental Research from the University of Leeds, along with master's and bachelor's degrees in environmental science and forest management from the University of Aberdeen.