Campbell became chief executive of the Canal & River Trust in October 2025, bringing over 15 years of leadership across the charity and public sectors. He has previously led national organisations including Nacro, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and Shelter, and held senior government roles including director general of the Office of the Third Sector and adviser to HM Treasury. Campbell is committed to preserving and enhancing the UK’s 2,000-mile network of navigable canals and rivers – seeing the waterways as “living monuments” that are also vital corridors for nature, heritage and wellbeing. He champions volunteering, local stewardship, and inclusive access to nature, ensuring these historic navigable waterways thrive for generations to come.