The Zeitz Foundation for Intercultural Ecosphere Safety

The Zeitz Foundation Appoints Derek de la Harpe as Specialist for Commerce

London, September 29th – The Zeitz Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Derek de la Harpe as Commerce Specialist.

Derek de la Harpe is a Zimbabwean Chartered Accountant and has spent the last 30 years working in finance, wildlife conservation and tourism development in sub-Saharan Africa as well as in Latin America and South-East Asia. At present, he is working as a freelance consultant in these disciplines. Derek specialises in the financing and management of protected areas, both privately- and state-owned, and the role that tourism plays in ensuring sustainability of these areas. Hence the link with the “Commerce” dimension of the 4Cs.

“Securing access to adequate funds for protection, management and development of protected areas is the greatest challenge to wildlife conservation the world over,” says Derek. “The best hope for securing these funds and ensuring sustainability of conservation is through sustainable use of the resources to be conserved. Educating stakeholders on these needs is a major challenge.”

Derek joins an esteemed group of supporters including:

• Ambassador for Commerce: François-Henri Pinault

• Ambassador for Conservation: Stephen Hopkins

• Ambassador for Culture (Sport): Usain Bolt

• Ambassador for Community: Gregory David Roberts

• Specialist for Culture (Art): Mark Coetzee

• Specialist for Culture (Sport): Colin Jackson

• Specialist for Community: Auret van Heerden