The EPI Foundation

Focal Point for the Implementation of the Elephant Protection Initiative and its Objectives

Registered as a charity in England and Wales, and regulated by the Charity Commission, the EPI Foundation is the legal entity charged with supporting the EPI member states to implement their individual and collective commitments to elephant conservation.

The Secretariat is staffed by an Executive Management team of experienced conservationists and overseen by a highly respected Board of Trustees.

Working in coordination with member state governments, their appointed National Focal Points, NGO partners, and the EPI's other structures, the EPI Foundation is at the heart of efforts to protect Africa's elephants.

Meet the Team

Chief Executive Officer

John E Scanlon AO

John is a seasoned leader in the fields of environment and sustainable development, with a unique range of experience gained across multiple continents, disciplines and organizations. He has served in senior positions in the private sector, with government, international organisations, the United Nations, and not-for-profit organisations.

Director of Programmes

Ruth Musgrave

Ruth has a Masters in conservation and has been working in the sector for the past 25 years. She spent 15 years living in Gabon and Tanzania, working for WCS predominantly supporting National Park management, and law enforcement and its monitoring via SMART. She’s worked for the EPI since 2014 and has lead the development and implementation of the tools to support management of stockpiles.

Director of State
Engagement &
Programme Support

Ulysse Korogone

Ulysse is a forest engineer holding a Masters degree in Ecology. He has been working for the past ten years with the Government of Benin as a Senior Forest Officer, where he gained experience in wildlife monitoring and conservation. He also has a strong background in project management including, planning, finance, administration and field work. He conducted the Process of Benin adhesion to EPI in 2020 and was the first National Focal Point of Benin.

Director of National Elephant Action Plans

Dr Hugo Jachmann

Hugo is a wildlife ecologist with a Ph.D. in elephant ecology and more than 45 years of experience with wildlife research, management and law enforcement. Hugo’s last long-term posting was with the Netherlands Development Organisation in Ghana, seconded to the Wildlife Division as Senior Technical Advisor wildlife management.

Head of Operations & Finance

Harry Thorold

Harry is an Associate Chartered Accountant and has a decade of experience working in finance and audit. Harry is a passionate environmentalist, and also serves as a Trustee to a London based charity providing free sports courses to children.

Senior Communications Advisor

Barnaby Phillips

Barnaby spent 15 years at the BBC reporting from Africa. He was based in Mozambique, Angola, Nigeria, and South Africa. In 2006 he joined Al Jazeera English, reporting from around the world. After 27 years in journalism, Barnaby joined the EPI in 2018.

Digital Communications Manager

Clara G. Rincuni

Clara is a charismatic communications and marketing professional based in Kenya, with over 6 years of experience in the Advertising, Media and NGO industries. She has a knack for integrating digital technology and leveraging behavioral psychology to connect and engage with different audiences. Her professional experience is backed by her Bachelor’s in Information Technology, Master’s in Communication and Higher Diploma in Psychology. Driven by her passion for nature, Clara is part of the Kenya Forest Action group and a hummingbird for the Greenbelt Movement.

Program Manager: Stockpile Management

Charles Henson

Charlie is a program manager with 10 years of experience in the security and logistics sector. He has worked predominantly with large internationally focused organisations, including the United Nations and the African Union. He has also worked in the humanitarian sector, most recently helping to provide the emergency response to displaced people in Sudan.

Program Administrator

Christina Godding

Christina’s love of wildlife led her to volunteering at a wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe in 2015 during the placement year of her Economics undergrad. She later returned to undertake two internships in Wildlife Conservation Research and Wildlife Reserve Management. It was during these internships that her passion for conservation flourished, eventually leading to her completing a Masters in Conservation at UCL. With a keen interest in tackling the illegal wildlife trade, and a strong belief in community-based conservation, Christina is excited to contribute to the meaningful work of the EPI.

Stockpile Management System Manager

Kiprotich Biwott

With a background in Applied Computer Science, Kiprotich is based in Kenya as a senior project manager for Bityarn Consult, with experience implementing information systems for wildlife protection, including the EPI’s ivory Stockpile Management System.

Project Officer - Lusophone Africa

José Pedro Agostinho

José has a Post-Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from Robert Kennedy University in Switzerland. He has over 28 years’ experience working in senior positions for international organisations. This has included NGOs, government, UN Agencies and corporates, overseeing and implementing conservation projects for stockpile management, de-mining, and nutrition programs. José is based in Luanda, but he has travelled extensively across Angola and has a deep understanding of the country's culture, work environment, laws, practices and people. José also serves as a Trustee at the HALO Trust UK.

Our Board of Trustees

The EPI's Secretariat is overseen by a team of passionate and highly experienced conservationists, bringing together the very best in technical, legal, and operational knowledge. Beyond their fiduciary duty, our Trustees provide important guidance in the implementation of the Secretariat's work to support member countries across the continent.

Alexander Rhodes

Chair

Sanjayan Muttulingam

Trustee

Ian Craig OBE

Trustee

Partner Organisations and Supporters

A number of leading international organisations have pledged themselves to the aims of the Elephant Protection Initiative and work in partnership with the EPI Secretariat to support and implement elephant conservation efforts throughout Africa.

Action for Elephants UK

Our work is supported by leading philanthropic organisations, institutional and private donors.