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Alliance
announces new chief executive
THE COUNTRYSIDE Alliance has announced that Simon Hart has been
nominated as chief executive designate. Mr. Hart will work alongside,
and in due course replace, existing chief executive Richard
Burge who, earlier this year, signalled his intention to move
on.
Simon Hart, who is currently Director of the Campaign for Hunting,
joined the Alliance four years ago, initially working in Wales
and the West Midlands. He was chosen from a short-list which
included external candidates.
Explaining the Board's decision Alliance Chairman John Jackson
said: "Simon was chosen because of his complete grasp of
our campaigning issues and because he has the planning, management
and administrative skills to take on the position. His experience
of every aspect of the Alliance's work, and his background in
the agricultural industry working with farmers and land managers
at a practical level, also fit him well for this important role".
Simon Hart said: "I feel privileged and excited at the
prospect of taking over from and continuing the efforts of Richard
Burge, whose enormous contribution to rural Britain over the
last four years cannot be overestimated. This is a critical
time for many people in the countryside, but we have a network
of staff, volunteers, members and supporters who are dedicated
to ensuring that the Alliance is active in defending the rights
and livelihoods of all rural communities".
Mr Hart, 39 lives with his wife Abigail and his two children
in West Wales. After attending agricultural college he spent
16 years working as a Chartered Surveyor specialising in agriculture
and land management before joining the Alliance in 1999. For
the last three years he has been Director of the Campaign for
Hunting, successfully leading the defence of all forms of hunting
with dogs. In his leisure time, Mr Hart enjoys all country sports
and talks a very good game of cricket.
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