Greenpeace appoints new International Executive Director

Amsterdam/Brussels, 6 June 2001: Greenpeace has appointed Dr Gerd Leipold as its new International Executive Director.

A scientist by training and German by birth, Dr Leipold was based in London for the past 10 years where he directed Greenpeace's Nuclear Disarmament Campaign. He then left the organisation to set up his own consultancy company specialising in advising Non Government Organisations (NGOs) on strategy and communications.

He maintained his contact with Greenpeace during that time by conducting campaign training for various national offices as well as working with other organisations, such as the International Red Cross, Oxfam, ActionAid and Consumers International.

Announcing Dr Leipold's appointment, Greenpeace International Board Chair, Dr Anne Summers, said he brought to Greenpeace a wealth of campaign experience in addition to his strategic and organisational skills.

"Under Gerd's leadership, Greenpeace will reinvigorate its international campaigning to save the environment and prevent the proliferation of nuclear power and weapons," she said.

"We are especially pleased that one of his major priorities will be to lead the fight against climate change, an issue that is urgent for global survival." Greenpeace will remain true to its core values of non-violent direct action with Gerd at the helm," Summers said, "but at the same time he will bring innovation and imagination to our high-profile international campaign and political work."

Dr Leipold's long involvement with Greenpeace has included being Executive Director of Greenpeace Germany, chair of the Board of Greenpeace Nordic and a board member of Greenpeace Germany and Greenpeace USSR.

While in Germany he also directed the Nuclear Free Seas Campaign and took part in a number of high profile actions, including a spectacular crossing of the Berlin Wall into East Germany in a hot air balloon in an action to protest against nuclear testing.

Editor's notes: The International Executive Director of Greenpeace is the leader and public spokesperson of the entire organisation, responsible for leading its campaigns. He is appointed by the International Board and reports to it. Dr Leipold has been acting as Interim International Director of Greenpeace since February this year when the previous Director, Dr Thilo Bode left the job.

For further press information contact:
Greenpeace International Press Officer , Lorenzo Consoli , +32 (0)496 122112.
Greenpeace International Press Desk, tel. +31 20 5236276

Further reading:

News story
Gerd Leipold's backgrounder
The climate cannot wait for Bush, but if Bush doesn't change the climate will
For more information about climate change, visit the Greenpeace Climate website.
For more information about Greenpeace campaigns visit www.greenpeace.org.