Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre Operations

The Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre (KMCC) Operations team ensure that resources are in place and available (finance, materials, people) to achieve all planned science and operational activities in Madagascar. 

We have a big responsibility to guarantee that all Kew – KMCC projects and activities go smoothly, safely, in time and in budget.

We co-operate with all teams based at KMCC to ensure that KMCC and staff are working towards Kew’s mission to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth. 

To deliver this new scientific mission, we are committed to operating within the Malagasy law; applying Kew policies and safeguarding; providing services to make sure that whole teams at KMCC meet their objectives; protecting Kew’s prestige and reputation; showing that we are experts in Malagasy plants and fungi; and influencing decision taking.

The KMCC operations team is composed of nine staff, lead by Hélène Ralimanana and includes one botanist, two accountants, four drivers, one housekeeper and one guardian. 

Only one operation staff (accountant) is based on site in Itremo. 

We additionally provide support to Kew researchers and MSc students coming out to Madagascar, ensuring that all permits and logistical arrangements are in place. We participate alongside our visiting researchers and students in plant collecting and inventories, teaching and community outreach during the fieldtrips. 

The KMCC Operations team multitask, most of our visitors have good memories of our team, enjoy working with us and most of them would like to come out in Madagascar again.