Dr Iain Staniland formally joined the Secretariat at the end of June although he had already managed to attend the virtual Scientific Committee in May, where he was welcomed to the IWC by the familiar faces of many former colleagues and friends. Iain will lead the team supporting the Scientific Committee and science function at the Secretariat. A marine mammal ecologist, he has a wide-ranging scientific background and joins the IWC from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) where he led research into Antarctic fur seal ecology. As well as 10+ Antarctic fieldwork campaigns, Iain represented BAS at a range of international fora and has extensive experience in science management. He is also committed to improving science communication and has worked with national and specialist media, online campaigns and schools to make science more accessible.