Chris Packham - Speaker

Chris Packham is a broadcaster, environmental campaigner and author whose work in natural history has shaped public understanding of wildlife and conservation across the UK and beyond. Known for his long-running role on BBC’s Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, he brings clarity, curiosity and urgency to the science of the natural world.

After earning a degree in zoology from the University of Southampton, Chris trained as a wildlife cameraman and quickly moved into presenting, launching a media career that spans nearly four decades. His early work on the BAFTA-winning The Really Wild Show inspired a generation, and his later documentaries, ranging from Inside the Animal Mind to Earth, have continued to provoke thought and deepen public engagement with environmental issues.

Chris is also recognised for his advocacy beyond the screen. He co-founded Wild Justice to pursue legal routes to protect UK wildlife, and has served as president or vice-president of numerous conservation organisations. In 2024, he became the first non-US-based director of the Climate Emergency Fund.

Diagnosed with Asperger syndrome later in life, Chris has openly discussed the challenges and strengths this brings, using his platform to shift perceptions of autism through documentaries like Inside Our Autistic Minds. His memoir, Fingers in the Sparkle Jar, was voted the UK’s favourite nature book, highlighting the powerful connection between personal experience and the natural world.

Chris’s approach is both grounded and impassioned. He challenges conventional thinking and invites audiences to engage critically with the choices affecting our planet’s future. His work continues to influence science communication, conservation practice and public policy at the highest levels.