Burrow Boardroom: David Forbes Nixon OBE!
A behind-the-scenes peek into the minds of the trustees helping to lead The Pangolin Project.
From field memories to unexpected favourite animals, each month we’ll spotlight one of our trustees with a short, fast-paced Q&A to bring you closer to the people shaping the mission to protect pangolins and their habitats.
🟣 Founder & Chairman of the DFN Foundation
♿️ Disability rights advocate | Impact investor | Conservation supporter
David Forbes-Nixon is dedicated to creating a more inclusive and sustainable world. Through the DFN Foundation and DFN Project SEARCH, he champions better education, employment, and healthcare outcomes for young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
A passionate conservationist, he also supports efforts to protect endangered wildlife and preserve critical habitats for future generations. Take a look at the DFN Foundation 2024 Impact report, featuring the Pangolin Project too!
1. What’s your personal connection to conservation?
I’ve always enjoyed nature, and my foundation sponsored the Big Butterfly Count in the UK for many years before we began our partnership with the Pangolin Project. I believe it’s so important to teach our children about the wonders of nature and the need to treat it with respect if our planet is to thrive and we can continue to enjoy it.
2. How did you first hear about The Pangolin Project?
I was introduced to the Pangolin Project on a visit to the Maasai Mara a few years go as we were there to investigate potential projects to support. It really stood out due to the urgency and need - the pangolin is such a gentle and endearing creature and is entirely defenceless against electric fencing and habitat destruction.3. If you could describe The Pangolin Project in three words, what would they be?
Inspiring, Transformative, Urgent
4. What’s one thing most people don’t know about pangolins?
Their tongue can be almost half a metre in length – great for feasting on termites!
5. What’s a moment with TPP that has really stuck with you?
This is such an important project, so several events come to mind – one is trekking in the forest at night with a team of expert and passionate conservationists and learning about the rich habitat of the Nyekweri Forest and the special creatures that rely on it for their survival.
Another great moment was the first TPP Board meeting where we were all physically together in Kenya for the first time, instead of online - it was clear what an exceptional group of people were round the table, all with the same goal to protect the pangolin and its vital habitat.
David and Beryl on a recent trip to The Pangolin Project in 2025
6. If you could have a coffee with any conservationist (past or present), who would it be and why?
I’d have coffee with David Attenborough and Charles Darwin together – what an incredible conversation that would be…
7. What’s the biggest challenge (or opportunity) in pangolin conservation/charity sector today?
Creating that sense of urgency and convincing people pf the need to act – to reduce poaching, get local communities working together, and to create financially sustainable ways to work with nature instead of exploiting and destroying it.
10. Complete this sentence: "In 5 years, I hope to see The Pangolin Project…"
…thriving with a sustainable model that is preserving the pangolin to a point where we can reintroduce them to other suitable areas as well as regenerate the damaged parts of the forest.