CLA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Legal Adviser, London
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- Director of Membership and Regions, London
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- Environment Policy Adviser, London
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- Regional Director, CLA East
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- Rural Surveyor, CLA Cymru
Charles is a first point of contact for members with interests in Wales, needing advice about land-use, planning, utilities and infrastructure, rights-of-way and business development.
Job Titles:
- Senior Economics and Rural Business Adviser, London
Job Titles:
- Rural Adviser, CLA South West
Chris is a Rural Adviser for the South West. Having joined the Army in 1992, Chris was commissioned into the Royal Artillery serving in the UK, Germany, Canada, Kosovo, Kenya, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Following his military career Chris worked for British Eventing for 14 years firstly as a Regional Director and then 8 years as the Sport Operations Manager.
In his spare time Chris enjoys shooting, skiing, walking, and equestrian sport.
Job Titles:
- Regional Coordinator, CLA Cymru
Chris manages our committee structure and tackles a wide range of membership issues. She manages our office and is usually the first point of contact when members call our office.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Director, London
Chris McElligott leads the marketing and sales team, being responsible for the brand, promotional campaigns, events (physical and digital), commercial partnerships and the business directory.
Prior to joining the CLA in 2020 he has spent his entire career in marketing roles across a variety of industry sectors. Chris has lived in rural Essex for a number of years and is a strong supporter of the local community and businesses.
Job Titles:
- National Access Adviser, London
Claire read Geography at the University of Birmingham before taking a postgraduate course in Rural Estate Management at the Royal Agricultural College. As a chartered surveyor with over 10 years experience, Claire advises members on a range of issues concerning public access.
In her spare time, Claire enjoys trail running, horse riding and kayaking across the region.
Claire joined the CLA in 2013 and moved from CLA East to CLA South West in February 2020, before becoming national access adviser in December 2022.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance, London
Colin leads the Finance team of the CLA and joined the in November 2021. He has extensive experience in professional membership bodies having worked as a Finance Director in the sector for over 20 years.
Before that he worked in a number of industries including FMCG, Drinks, Marketing Services and Publishing.
Job Titles:
- Regional Sales Manager, Midlands
Darran joins the CLA having previously worked as a Herdsman and studying Agriculture for NDA. He moved across to the commercial side of things in his early 20's.
Darran covers the Midlands region which includes Cheshire, Derbyshire, Herefordshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
He is married with 2 grown up children, is a National Trust and RSPB member. He is particularly interested in ornithology and wildlife.
Derek is our Membership Relations Manager for CLA Cymru.
Job Titles:
- Rural Adviser, CLA South West
Duncan joined the CLA in June 2021 in our eastern region before joining the South West Team in January 2023.
He is an experienced business growth and strategy specialist with expertise in business management, business planning, rural and family business, and management and leadership development. He has hands on business experience including as non-executive director of an organic food retail and wholesale business. He was a founder member of the Ely Cathedral Business Group and has also spent time as a lecturer in agriculture and business.
In his spare time Duncan enjoys shooting, hill and mountain walking.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Rural Surveyor, CLA East
Eleanor joined the CLA East team as a Graduate Rural Surveyor in July 2023.
Prior to her move to the CLA she worked for two years at the property consultancy firm Strutt & Parker as a Graduate Rural Surveyor. Within this role, she primarily advised private landowners and local authorities on estate management and landlord and tenant matters. During this time, she studied part-time for an MSc in Rural Estate and Land Management at Harper Adams University.
Eleanor has grown up in Cambridgeshire and studied for her undergraduate degree in Law at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.
Job Titles:
- Senior Public Affairs Manager, London
Eleanor joined the CLA in 2017 following stints working in Parliament and for a public affairs consultancy. In 2019 Eleanor became the Public Affairs Manager responsible for leading on the CLA's lobbying work in Westminster.
She is responsible for maintaining relationships with the CLA's key contacts in Parliament and delivering the organisation's programme of political events. She also provides the secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rural Business and the Rural Powerhouse.
Job Titles:
- Administration Assistant, CLA East
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- Policy & Engagement Adviser, CLA Cymru. ( Currently on Maternity Leave ) .
- Policy Adviser
As a policy adviser, Emily is focusing on the key areas of housing, heritage, economy & tourism, but supporting on some farming issues & water quality.
Formerly employed by a leading agricultural insurer, Emily is aware of the business issues and challenges faced by farmers and land-based businesses.
Job Titles:
- Events Manager, CLA South East
Prior to working at the CLA Emma has been an Executive Assistant for over 15 years, and having worked at Twinings for the majority of this prides herself on making the best cup of tea.
Emma is keen to hear what you think about CLA events. If you have ideas, or are a potential speaker, partner or venue, please get in touch.
Job Titles:
- Membership Coordinator
- Membership Coordinator, London
Eve Cross is a Membership Coordinator, based in the Membership department in London.
Eve grew up in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Prior to joining the CLA, Eve undertook a Masters degree in Sociology, researching human rights, culture and social justice.
In her spare time Eve loves swimming and exploring London on foot.
Job Titles:
- Regional Co - Ordinator, CLA South East
Evette Curtis joined the South East Office in November 2020 as Regional Co-ordinator and is the first point of call for all SE Branch committee and office-related enquiries.
Evette comes from a freelance background, supporting various clients with PA, EA, admin, office management and event support. Previously she worked for The Royal College of General Practitioners in the current SE office and recently found old flyers she had created tucked away in a cupboard!
She has engaged with a number of CLA estate members in the past while working within the festival and events industry, and is looking forward to developing wider connections with SE members.
Fraser leads our policy-development in Wales. His work focuses on agriculture, natural resource management, forestry and woodland, and a wide range of issues affecting farmers, landowners and rural businesses.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board & CLA Deputy President
- Deputy President, London
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- Marketing and Events Assistant, London
Job Titles:
- Senior Land Use Policy Adviser, London
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- Senior Legal Adviser, London
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- Rural Adviser, CLA Midlands
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- Senior Legal Adviser, London
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- Acting Regional Director, CLA North
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- Vice Chair
- Event Manager, CLA South West
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- Private Client and Tax Adviser, London
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- Regional Coordinator, CLA Midlands
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- Territory Manager, South West
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- Senior Tax Adviser, London
Job Titles:
- President
- Vice President
- Vice President, London
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- Rural Surveyor, CLA Midlands
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- Director of External Affairs, London
Jonathan Roberts leads the External Affairs team which is responsible for political engagement, media relations, digital communications and the monthly member magazine Land and Business.
Prior to joining the CLA in 2019 he spent 10 years in the shipping and ports industries, having previously worked in Westminster and Brussels for a number of MPs and MEPs. He grew up in farming communities in North Yorkshire and North Wales.
Job Titles:
- Senior Heritage Adviser, London
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- Director of Policy & Advice, London
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- Membership Manager, London
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- Head of Executive Support, London
Job Titles:
- Chief Tax Adviser, London
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- Rural Adviser, CLA South East
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- Rural Surveyor, CLA South West
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- Land Use Policy Adviser - Climate & Natural Resources, London
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- Senior Communications Manager ( National & South East )
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- Chairman of Audit & Risk Committee
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- Director of IT & Business Services, London
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- Regional Sales Manager, East
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- Digital Content Manager, London
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- Rural Surveyor, CLA North
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- Regional Sales Manager, CLA North
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- Senior Legal Adviser, London
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- Director of Human Resources, London
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- Events Manager, CLA Cymru
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- Membership Relations Manager, CLA South West
Job Titles:
- Communications Manager, CLA South West
Job Titles:
- Regional Director, CLA Midlands
Job Titles:
- Chief Land Use Policy Adviser, London
Job Titles:
- Regional Director, CLA South East
Job Titles:
- Membership Relations Manager, CLA South East
Job Titles:
- President
- President, London