Dr Hugh Lavery is Corporate Adviser on environmental matters to Meridien, and was recently named inaugural Environmental Practitioner of the Year by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.

Helping establish modern nature conservation during the 1950s, Dr Lavery spent 30 years with the Queensland Government. He founded Australian Environment International, advising Australia’s largest corporate landholder (AMP’s Stanbroke Pastoral Company). Dr Lavery has also held senior positions with a number of world-renowned environmental institutions, including as Chief Consultant to the National Geographic Society.

At Meridien, Dr Lavery’s input has been vital in the creation of environmentally responsible development strategies and strong collaborative partnerships, providing a research base for future planning and operational management.  Following recent completion of a worldwide series of marina surveys, he has designed benchmark standards to place Meridien at the forefront of environmental management in the World Heritage Areas and related National Parks of coastal Queensland.