Image of a man with short grey hair, a beard and glasses. Wearing a blue suit.

Andy Goldring

The Permaculture Association Britain, CEO

The Permaculture Association is dedicated to supporting an ever growing network of permaculture practitioners, increasing knowledge of permaculture within society, developing permaculture theory and practice, and building an evidence base that supports this. 

My work as CEO is to carry out the intentions of the board of trustees, and to coordinate and give focus to the direction of the many projects, networks and events that facilitate these aims.
I have been the Chief Executive of the Permaculture Association since 1999, having previously been a trustee and regular volunteer.

What is your favourite permaculture principle and why? 

'Each important function is supported by many elements’, because it puts resilience, teamwork, diversity and sharing responsibility for key outcomes at the heart of permaculture.

Why do you think we need permaculture in the world? 

We need permaculture because many people and organisations struggle to know how to respond to the increasing complexity and challenges of the modern world. The permaculture framework helps people to act in an ethical way, using a design approach based on nature’s principles. That creates places and initiatives that are ethical and ecological - just what we need!

 

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Rachel Crosby

Operations Lead

As the Operations Lead I help make sure that our systems and processes work as efficiently as possible. I also champion People Care within the Permaculture Association.

What is your favourite permaculture principle and why?

I love the permaculture principle of “Use edges and value the marginal”.  The “edges” - where different ecosystems (and cultures) meet - can often be very creative and productive spaces. And I have learnt a great deal from working at the “edges” and learning from the marginalised.

Why do you think we need permaculture in the world?

Permaculture is a key solution to the most pressing issue of our time and has so much to offer as we seek ways to address climate change and regenerating the planet. 
 

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Sally-Ann Delf

Finance Lead

I manage the Permaculture Association’s finances – day-to-day and also financial planning, reporting and budgets. I am the person to contact for any finance-related issues.

What is your favourite permaculture principle and why?

My favourite permaculture principle is ‘obtain a yield’ – I enjoy the practical side of permaculture and it’s important to be productive within an ethical framework.

Why do you think we need permaculture in the world?

I love permaculture because it has the solutions to so many of the problems we face and it is a positive force for societal change.
 

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Jemma Findley

Education Lead 

I’m the main contact for international permaculture leaders and changemakers, supporting the quality of permaculture education, and building connections to enhance visibility within the movement.

What is your favourite permaculture principle? 

Creatively use and respond to change! 

Why do you think we need permaculture in the world?

I am really interested in systems change and education's role in achieving this. I see permaculture as having a central role in enabling people to look at the systems they live within and figure out where they can make a difference - creatively making decisions based on their specific needs and situation. It's really empowering being able to observe the challenges you face, and understand the complexities of your own system, capitalising on your available resources and then designing a more resilient lifestyle. 
 

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Renee Karunungan

Communications and Membership Co-ordinator 

As communications and membership co-ordinator, I tell stories about what permaculture is, and what permaculture communities are doing globally that can inspire others. I also make sure our members are well taken care of, and give them the best we can offer.

What is your favourite permaculture principle and why? 

My favourite permaculture principle would be “integrate rather than segregate.” I’ve always seen things as a network, a connection among different elements of nature, much like a forest's ecosystem where every organism plays a role to allow it to thrive. And because of this, I also believe we, humans, need to see ourselves as only one part of nature, and that everything we do -- positive or negative - has a ripple effect on society and the planet.

Why do you think we need permaculture in the world? 

Permaculture allows us to integrate ourselves with nature, and in that integration, to allow ourselves to be part of the solution for the planet to thrive.
 

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Maria Paez

International Coordinator
[email protected]


I’m the main contact for international permaculture leaders, managing inquiries and building connections to enhance visibility within the movement.

What is your favourite permaculture principle and why?

"Observe and Interact" is a key principle that has guided me since childhood. Realising that actually I’m part of nature has helped me make informed decisions on my thoughts, actions and aspirations. Like many others, I’m a student of nature, continuously learning and applying my observations to support local and global collective efforts.

Why do you think we need permaculture in the world?

To me, permaculture is the application of indigenous knowledge - a powerful way to make a positive impact and leave a better world for future generations.
 

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Hannah Watkins

Engagement Officer 

My role is to engage with people to support with building our membership network and the permaculture movement. This involves engaging and communicating with existing members, as well as attracting new members, by using creative approaches across multiple channels. I also support with organising some of our online events and manage our permaculture community hub. 

What is your favourite permaculture principle and why?

My favourite principle is 'Use small and slow solutions'. In our fast paced world we are inclined to make quick decisions and act on things, without always having the opportunity to consider the possible consequences, reflect or catch our breath. Small and slow systems are easier to maintain than big ones, they tend to make better use of local resources, produce more sustainable outcomes and more easily monitor the impact of solutions that we implement in our lives, communities, or on the land. 

Why do you think we need permaculture in the world? 

I love that permaculture has the ability to offer local solutions to global issues, such as climate change, and looks to nature as a source of inspiration. By understanding, appreciating, and nurturing the connections that make up an ecosystem and accepting that we, as humans, are also a part of nature, we can learn how to respond in ways that are sustainable and resilient. 

 

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Nigel White

Web Development

I help maintain and develop our website by caring for the tech.

Why do you think we need permaculture in the world?

Permaculture came into my life on a PDC in Leeds in 2010. What I love about Permaculture is that it starts with the ethics. It builds on ethics to offer a framework for interacting with the precious planet we are part of.

It is clear that human development can't go on the way it has. Approaches like Permaculture show there is hope for a better way.

Gihan Soliman

Gihan Soliman

Science Advisor

My current role includes overseeing science and biotechnology projects in the Global South. In collaboration with renowned universities and grass root civil society, as well as indigenous community members in West Africa and Bolivia, the Permaculture Association is playing a pivotal role in the conservation of fungi, bacteria, and archaea, with direct links to livelihood and sustainable food production.

What is your favourite permaculture principle and why? 

My favourite permaculture principle is ‘observe and interact’. Observation is what makes us (humans) special; connecting the wisdom of past experiences to the vibrancy of the current moment and the outlook for a prosperous future. Interactive observation is the backbone of scientific inquiry and the seed of synergy among people, as well as harmony with nature. Observation complements every other principle of permaculture.

Why do you think we need permaculture in the world?

Permaculture is the hope for a future, if we’re to have one. Permaculture stands on three pillars: care for people and communities; care for the land and its fascinating biodiversity; and fair sharing, which is the economy of healthy abundance, voluntary cooperation, equality, and reciprocity. It’s what our world needs today to heal and prosper.