Executive DirectorGlobal Canopy Programme
Niki Mardas is Executive Director of the Global Canopy Programme, an international environmental NGO and think-tank that works to accelerate the transition to a deforestation-free global economy.
Niki has a strong entrepreneurial track record, over two decades of a career in both private and non-profit sectors.
His commercial background is in technology and communications, advising clients including DDB Worldwide, Volkswagen and BSkyB. In the early 2000s he co-founded 3 successful startups: a digital consultancy, an incubator with a seed investment fund of 1 million Euros, and a pioneering mobile marketing company, Upstream, that now works in over 40 countries and has handled 25 billion mobile interactions.
Niki has been actively involved with environmental issues since 1996. Initially as a volunteer for H.A.H. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s acclaimed initiative to bring together religious leaders across faiths with scientists across disciplines to more effectively tackle the world’s growing water security challenges. In 2006, he took on a full-time role as joint Coordinator for the Patriarch’s Amazon Symposium, that carried 200 faith-leaders, scientists, politicians and journalists on 11 boats through the world’s greatest forest.
Niki joined the Global Canopy Programme in 2007 to establish its new forests and climate change programme. He has led on strategy as the organisation has rapidly grown, and has helped to establish many of its key initiatives, including The Forests Now Declaration, the Little Book Series, the Forest Footprint Disclosure Project, the Natural Capital Declaration and Roadmap for the financial sector, and most recently the Forest 500, the world’s first ratings agency for rainforests.
Niki has written and spoken extensively on tropical forests and other issues. He holds a first class degree from the University of Cambridge, and an MSc from the London School of Economics.