Tusk Ambassadors

Tusk is privileged to have the support of so many influential and celebrated personalities, all of whom do so much for Tusk and the cause.

  • HRH The Prince of Wales – Royal Patron
  • Zoe Ball – DJ, presenter and Tusk Ambassador since 2000.
  • Liz Bonnin – Wildlife and natural history presenter and Tusk Ambassador since 2017.
  • Rory Bremner – Impressionist, comedian, satirist, translator, columnist, writer, presenter, ballroom dancer and one of Britain’s top entertainers, Rory has been an ambassador of Tusk since the mid 1990s.
  • John Cleese – Actor, comedian, screenwriter, producer and Python, John became an ambassador of Tusk together with his wife Jen Wade, following their artistic contribution to the Tusk Lion Trail in 2021.
  • Dr Iain Douglas Hamilton CBE – Leading expert on African elephants, and founder of Save the Elephants.
  • Ben Fogle – Broadcaster and writer, Ben has supported Tusk since 2005, the same year in which he competed in Tusk’s Safaricom Marathon at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.
  • David Gower OBE – Captain of the England Cricket Team in the 1980s and subsequent commentator on the game.
  • Bear Grylls OBE – Adventurer, writer TV presenter and the youngest-ever Chief Scout when he was appointed at the age of 35.
  • Dr Haruhisa Handa – Japanese businessman, religious leader and founder of a number of organisations, including ISPS Handa, which has been a generous sponsor of Tusk since 2015.
  • Brian Jackman – Britain’s foremost writer on wildlife and safaris whose books on Africa include The Marsh Lions, The Big Cat Diary (with Jonathan Scott), and Roaring at the Dawn.
  • Katherine Jenkins OBE – Singer and songwriter who performed at a celebration of Tusk’s 25th Anniversary at Windsor Castle in 2015 and has been an ambassador ever since.
  • Simon King OBE – TV presenter, filmmaker and conservationist who has been working in the field of natural history film making since 1984, and became an ambassador of Tusk in 2007.
  • Madeleine, Lady Kleinwort – formerly a Trustee of The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust who was married to the late conservationist, Sir Kenneth Kleinwort, one of the founding Trustees of Tusk.
  • Mark Knopfler – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer and composer best known as lead singer and songwriter of Dire Straits.
  • Ali MacGraw – American actress, author, model and animal rights activist whose many roles include 1970’s Love Story.
  • Deborah Meaden – Businesswoman and investor, best known for her role on the BBC’s ‘Dragon’s Den’, Deborah became a Ambassador to Tusk in 2010, and joined the Board of Trustees in 2016.
  • Lord George Percy – British businessman and the heir to the Dukedom of Northumberland.
  • Tristan Phipps – As well as being a well-known presenter and TV personality, Tristan developed his passion for conservation with four years as a safari guide in Kruger National Park.
  • Jemma Powell – Accomplished actor and artist, Jemma has supported Tusk through her artwork, including a collaboration with her husband Jack Savoretti for the Tusk Gorilla Trail.
  • Jack Savoretti – Singer-songwriter who became Tusk Ambassador after performing at Tusk’s 2017 Ball in Camden’s Roundhouse, and supported Tusk in many different ways together with his wife Jemma Powell.
  • Hannah Shergold – Former Army helicopter pilot turned wildlife artist who has raised over £200,000 for Tusk since leaving the military.
  • Kate Silverton – Journalist and regular presenter of the BBC News, Kate has hosted numerous Tusk events and is a member of the Development Board.
  • Pam St Clement – Actress best known as Eastenders’ Pat Butcher, Pam is an animal lover and keen conservationist.
  • Joss Stone – Singer, songwriter and actress, Joss performed at Tusk’s 25thAnniversary Ball at Syon House, and has been an Ambassador ever since.
  • Steve Tisch – American film producer, businessman, philanthropist and longstanding supporter of Tusk. Steve is also the chairman, co-owner and Executive Vice President of the New York Giants.
  • Emma, Marchioness of Bath – TV personality, fashion model and founder of the food and lifestyle brand Emma’s Kitchen, Emma became an ambassador in 2020. She and her husband Ceawlin Thynn, 8th Marquess of Bath, are based at Longleat, a long-running supporter of Tusk’s.
  • Jennifer Wade – Jewellery designer and model, Jen became a Tusk ambassador following her artistic collaboration with husband John Cleese for the Tusk Lion Trail in 2021.
  • Ruby Wax – Comedienne, actress, mental health campaigner, lecturer, author and Tusk Ambassador since 2007.
  • Levison Wood – British explorer, writer and photographer whose work has featured around the world.
  • Ronnie Wood – Rock musician, songwriter, artist, author and member of The Rolling Stones since 1975, Ronnie is Tusk’s longest standing supporter and first ever Ambassador since 1991.
  • David Yarrow – One of the best-selling fine art photographers in the world, David is also Tusk’s affiliated photographer.

Global Ambassadors

  • Philip Cayford QC – Philip has been a leading barrister since 1978, specialising in matrimonial, media and common law. He is also an acclaimed wildlife filmmaker and photographer, and served as a Trustee from 2003-2015.
  • Dr Samantha Corsellis – With a PhD from Cambridge University, Samantha’s research interests have focussed on primate social systems, behavioural ecology and primate conservation. Samantha was a Trustee from 2002-2016.
  • Sarah Fairbairn – Sarah is a freelance financial journalist and long-time Tusk supporter, who served on the Board from 2018-2023.
  • Reggie Heyworth – Reggie Heyworth has been Director of the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens since 1995 and served on Tusk’s Board from 2005-2014.
  • Tim Jackson – Former Senior Advisor and Director of Invesco who brought his experience in Investor relationship management to Tusk’s Board of Trustees from 2009-2020.
  • James Lindsay – James Lindsay was a member of the Young Europe Africa Expedition led by Tusk’s Chief Executive, Charles Mayhew in 1985, and is now a professional photographer and a director of Flat Dog Films. He served as a Trustee from 1998-2015.
  • Pierre-Andre Mourgue D’Algue – Pierre-André is a partner of the Swiss private bank Mourgue d’Algue & Cie, and from 1993 to 2016 was Tusk’s longest-serving Trustee.
  • Sir Christopher Thompson Bt – Former private secretary to Prince Michael of Kent, Sir Christopher was a Trustee of Tusk from 1994-2001.
  • Nick Tims – Nick is a managing partner of Posaidon Capital, the green finance and natural capital advisory and investment firm. He was previously managing director of private markets at Ninety One, where he focused on Africa, and was the founder of BlackFin Advisors, the emerging markets advisory firm. He was a Trustee of Tusk from 2012-2023.
Prince William Visits Tusk Projects in Namibia

Royal Patron

The Prince of Wales's support for Tusk over the years has been immensely helpful in raising both the profile of the charity and the funds that we need. His ability to draw global attention to the plight of endangered species being decimated by illegal wildlife trade has been warmly welcomed by conservationists across the globe.

Ronnie Wood and Rankin at the Tusk Gorilla Trail at Covent Garden

Tusk Gorilla Trail

The Tusk Gorilla Trail includes works by a number of Tusk's Ambassadors: Ronnie Wood, John Cleese & Jen Wade, Jemma Powell, and Hannah Shergold.

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