Dr Sharne McMillan, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s director for nature recovery, has been featured in the ENDS Report Power List 2026 as one of the UK's most influential environmental professionals.
Sharne is listed alongside 12 others from across the UK in the 'unsung hero' category, all of whom are making a positive change. The publication’s flagship Power List, now in its fifth year, celebrates 100 of the profession’s most impactful individuals, featuring people from government departments and regulators, NGOs, environmental consultancies and law firms, academia, and others. ENDS Report states: “The image coming through is one of a UK environment sector bursting with talent and power to make a difference.”
This marks the first time someone from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has been listed. CEO Rachael Bice said: “I am utterly delighted for Sharne, who thoroughly deserves this national recognition, and that this comes also in the Trust’s 80th year.”
Sharne leads the data, strategy, and planning teams at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, strengthening the impact of the Trust’s work. Alongside the Trust’s Nature Recovery Committee and partners, she produced the first State of Yorkshire’s Nature report two years ago and followed this last year by leading the Trust’s rallying call to Bring Yorkshire’s Nature Back, producing a blueprint report for nature recovery in Yorkshire. Her nominator described this as “an outstanding piece of work that deserves national recognition.”
The Trust is now building and working with a coalition of organisations from local and national government, other NGOs, universities, and community representatives to drive protection and management for 30% of land and sea for nature across Yorkshire.
Sharne said: “I’m humbled to be nominated on the ENDS Report Power List. I work with amazing people, other unsung heroes at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and across Yorkshire in public, charity and academia, working tirelessly for nature’s recovery. The evidence is clear that strong, collective action is urgently needed to halt and reverse biodiversity declines. Our world is at a tipping point, transforming from land use pressures and changing climate, and it's vital we take bolder steps toward achieving the 30% target. By aligning conservation efforts with other societal goals and supporting and complementing other land management practices – we can create a healthy and thriving Yorkshire for all.”
ENDS Report has previously described Power List honourees as “the changemakers, the problem-solvers, and the quiet revolutionaries who are reshaping the environmental landscape.”
