9 April 2011. Nairobi. Dr Tony Simons has been appointed as the new Director General of the World Agroforestry Centre.

The Board Chair, Professor Eric Tollens, made the eagerly awaited announcement on 8 April 2011 to a packed meeting of staff, management and Board. A long search process culminated in a week of interviews and presentations by the three candidates during the 53rd Meeting of the World Agroforestry Centre Board of Trustees. Candidates made a presentation to all staff, which was broadcast to all the Centre regional offices, and each candidate interacted with five focus groups, as well as the Board.

In his announcement, Professor Tollens said, “We are facing challenges to make a greener world and we think Tony can develop a new vision to bring the Centre to a higher level.”

Thank you for the trust you have shown in me,” Dr Simons told the staff. “I am energized and motivated by this faith. With your help and support we can do wonderful things”.

Raised in New Zealand, Dr Simons has had a long and distinguished career. He has been Deputy Director General of the Centre since 2008 and prior to that led the Centre’s Trees and Markets research program. He was appointed Honorary Professor in Tropical Forestry at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark in 2009.