THE ROYAL COUNTRYSIDE FUND - Key Persons
Adam was born into a farming family and studied agriculture at Seale-Hayne Agricultural College in Devon where he met his business partner, Duncan Andrews. Their 650 hectare livestock and arable tenanted farm runs alongside the Cotswold Farm Park which Adam's father opened in 1971 as a result of his pioneering work with rare breed conservation.
"Growing up in the countryside, I have always been aware of the issues surrounding farming and those people living and working within rural communities. As such I have always admired the work of The [Royal] Countryside Fund, and more recently had the opportunity to meet some of the young beneficiaries through my work on BBC Countryfile. I am therefore delighted to become an ambassador for the [RCF], which provides invaluable grant and initiative funding each year to secure a future for our rural areas."
Alan is an English gardener, broadcaster, TV presenter, poet, and novelist.
Alex is an English musician and songwriter, as well as a journalist and cheesemaker.
"There are fewer finer pleasures in life than a day spent exploring the valleys, rivers, fields and woodland of the British countryside. The [Royal] Countryside Fund helps to preserve our wonderful environment, as well as support British farming, a part of my life that has absorbed me for over 10 years. I'm pleased to support The [Royal] Countryside Fund and their ongoing work to conserve our rural areas and British farming traditions."
Alexander is an actor, presenter and singer, probably best known as the host of BBC1's Pointless. He was half of the BAFTA-winning comedy duo Armstrong & Miller and is a regular presenter on Have I Got News For You. He is also the voice of Dangermouse and narrates the cult CBeebies hit Hey Duggee.
Alexander grew up in rural Northumberland where his family has farmed for several hundred years. He takes a keen interest in rural issues and, as a founding shareholder in the Leon restaurant chain, has become a passionate supporter of sustainable agriculture and the many benefits it can bring to farming communities. He is deeply proud to be an ambassador for The Royal Countryside Fund.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Nominations Committee
- Head of Agrifoods, HSBC Bank Plc
Allan Wilkinson is a dairy farmer's son from the North East of England, who joined Midland Bank in the late 1980's becoming HSBC's Head of Agriculture in 2010.
He is currently Head of Agrifoods at HSBC UK, a role he has held for the past 6 years covering food chains and systems. He sits on a number of industry bodies including the Food and Drink Sector Council's Exporter's Forum and the University of Exeter's Impact of Covid on the UK food. He is also a Liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Farmers and a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Societies. Allan is married with two grown up children, and lives in Yorkshire.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Rock Review
- Portfolio of Non - Executive
Kate is Chair of The Rock Review which was published in October 2022 and looked at tenant farming in England with recommendations for Defra. She has a portfolio of non-executive directorships. She is Chair of Costain plc, the UK infrastructure company and Senior Independent Director of Keller Group, the world's largest geotechnical contractor. She is also a Director of Wrackleford Farms Ltd, a tenant farming enterprise.
Kate was appointed a Life Peer in 2015 and focuses on agriculture, technology and skills. She sat on the House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy that published a report in April 2019: "Time for a Strategy for the Rural Economy".
Kate has a portfolio of non-executive directorships.
Job Titles:
- Senior Programmes Manager
Job Titles:
- Senior Communications and Philanthropy Officer
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Chairman, the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture
David was educated at St John's College, Oxford and at the RAU Cirencester, where he is now an honorary Fellow. Previously he worked in the MOD after serving with the Gurkha Rifles. He subsequently qualified as a rural Chartered Surveyor. He was President of the CLA between (2005-2007), a Commissioner of the Crown Estate (2008-2017) and of English Heritage (2009-2013). He was on the Affordable Rural Housing Commission (2005/6) and then chaired the South-West Board for the London 2012 Olympics; the Government's ‘Future of Farming' review (2013) and the SW Rural Productivity Commission (2017). David became Chairman of Dyson Farming in 2014.
In 2017 he became a Food, Farming and Countryside Commissioner and in 2021 became Chairman of the Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH). He has run his own small Estate in Devon since 1979 (farming it for much of that time) and a consultancy business. He became Lord-Lieutenant of Devon in 2015. He has been chairman of Cadbury parish since 1982 and his interests include sport, having played first class cricket and club rugby.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Consultant and Farmer
- CVO
Elizabeth was, until December 2009, the Private Secretary to The then Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. In addition to managing Their Royal Highnesses' public life, she was also responsible for His Royal Highness's work on the environment, agricultural and his relations with the business community. She worked for Their Royal Highnesses for over ten years.
Prior to that, Elizabeth worked at Bell Pottinger and as a special adviser to two Secretaries of State for Transport. Elizabeth is now a consultant to Waitrose, Chime Communications Group, Dairy Crest and Nyetimber. The remainder of her time is spent managing the family's organic farm in East Sussex.
Elizabeth was, until December 2009, the Private Secretary to The then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Partnerships Manager
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Trustee
- Master of St John 's College, Cambridge
- Senior Independent Board Member for Defra
Heather Hancock LVO DL is the Master of St John's College, Cambridge. She is the senior independent Board member for Defra and a non-executive Director of Rural Solutions Ltd.
From 2015-2021, Heather chaired the Food Standards Agency. Prior to that, Heather was a Managing Partner of Deloitte UK and a Managing Director of Deloitte globally, and held senior roles in local, regional and national government, including running the Yorkshire Dales National Park. From 2000-2012, Heather was a Trustee of the Prince's Trust; she chaired the BBC's Rural Affairs Committee from 2003-10 and, in 2014, was commissioned by the BBC Trust to report on bias and impartiality in the BBC's rural affairs coverage.
Her first love is the countryside and its people.
Heather is the senior independent Board member for Defra and a non-executive Director of Rural Solutions Ltd.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to Keith Halstead
Job Titles:
- Programme Manager ( Farm for the Future )
Heston is a British celebrity chef.
"It is an honour to be an ambassador for The [Royal] Countryside Fund. As a chef, I am very conscious of where our ingredients come from, and British produce is some of the best there is. In the UK, 80% of our land is farmed. I think it is essential to look after both this precious resource and its keepers, ensuring high quality, tasty food and a viable farming sector in our economy. The [Royal] Countryside Fund has incredible programmes that promote just that."
Job Titles:
- Corporate Partnerships Officer
Job Titles:
- Farm Support Group Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Non - Executive Director
Janet currently serves as Non-Executive Director with several leading businesses within the agri-food industry - Tirlán, W & R Barnett and Foyle Food Group.
From 1993 Janet enjoyed 25 years with Moy Park, appointed to the Executive Board as Finance Director in 2002 and Chief Executive from 2014 to 2018, responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of Moy Park's business across Europe and playing a key role in the comprehensive reorganization and restructuring of the business. She completed the INSEAD Advanced Management Programme in July 2012 and has served as a board member of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce. In 2016 Janet was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Economics from Queen's University Belfast for services to business and commerce and was recognised as IoD 2017 UK Large Company Director of the Year. More recently she was honoured to receive CBE for services to economic development in Northern Ireland.
Janet graduated from the University of Aston in Birmingham with a degree in Business Administration & French; she then went on to become a Fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (FCMA). With over 25 years experience within the food industry, Janet commenced her career at Coca-Cola & Schweppes Beverages.
Janet is married to Ross with a family of three and enjoys travel and sport, including interest in golf, skiing and cricket.
Janet currently serves as Non-Executive Director to several leading businesses within the agri-food industry - Tirlán, W & R Barnett and Foyle Food Group.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman, Warburtons
Jonathan Warburton has held the position of Chairman of the family business since 2001 -overseeing the company's transition into a national brand. Beginning his career outside of Warburtons, Jonathan spent time gaining knowledge of the baking industry, as well as sales and marketing experience during his time with Unilever.
Joining Warburtons at the age of 23, he progressed from National Account Manager to Sales Director and then Marketing Director - overseeing the development of Warburtons iconic TV ad campaign featuring members of the Warburton family.
Jonathan was a non-Executive Director of Samworth Brothers Limited for 20 years (1997) 2017) and also non-Executive Director of AG Barr Plc for 3 years (2010-2013).
Outside of the business, Jonathan is a keen sportsman, skiing enthusiastically and playing golf erratically! Married to Kim, they have four children, Charlotte, twins Harry and Jack and Angus.
Jonathan is a fifth generation Warburton and has has held the position of Chairman of the family business since 2001.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Creative Director
Alice is a stylist, creative director and consultant.
Although better known for beauty and wellbeing, Liz is also an organic, pasture-fed, West Country farmer who has seen first-hand just how much good The [Royal] Countryside Fund does for rural life.
"It is an inspiring and unique asset for all who live and work in the countryside, helping to maintain and support a robust and sustainable agricultural community that benefits the whole of the UK at large. I'm so pleased and proud to be part of the team as an ambassador.
In joining the RCF Board Lord Curry brought a wealth of knowledge about agricultural issues and farming, and under his tenure as Chair RCF's work in the farming sector flourished. This includes our initial research into the future of Family Farms leading to the development of our Farm Resilience Programme and more recently the PCF's Defra funded Farm for the Future programme.
Lord Curry initially joined The Royal Countryside Fund as a Trustee when the charity was founded in April 2010, before being appointed Chairman in March 2016. He stepped down from this role in December 2021.
Lord Curry was also responsible for setting up the Farming Help Partnership to bring together the different farming help charities, and through his support and convening the RCF has been able to work much more closely with this group of affiliated charities creating a consolidated and better quality offer of support for all rural communities and farmers.
Jamie Lindsay is currently Chairman of UKAS (the UK's National Accreditation Body) and Berry UK Pension Trustees Ltd., and an advisor to Brockwell Energy Ltd.
Jamie's career has included senior Public, Private and NGO sector appointments. He is a former Government Minister at the Scottish Office with responsibilities that included agriculture, forestry, the environment and rural affairs. He has also served as a Non-Exec Director at BPI plc, Scottish Resources Group (SRG) Ltd and UA Group plc, and as Chairman of Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) and SAC, Elmwood College, Scottish Quality Salmon and Assured British Meat. Jamie is a former President of the National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland.
Lord Price was instrumental in setting up The Royal Countryside Fund with HM King Charles III while he was The Prince of Wales in 2010, and put his heart and soul into creating the charity when others had failed before.
Lord Price was the Founding Chairman and led on the development of the cause related marketing model that has been the driving force behind our fundraising. Lord Price personally secured a great number of our founding corporate partnerships, not least securing the relationship with Waitrose that has now lasted over a decade. It was his personal energy and commitment that ensured the RCF's success.
Job Titles:
- Senior Communications Officer
Mark sat as a Trustee of The Royal Countryside Fund from 2015 to December 2018 having previously been a longstanding and dedicated member of The Prince's Rural Action Programme Leadership Team whilst in his role at Anglian Water.
Once a member of the RCF Board of Trustees, Mark led on the fundraising strategy in the East of England, securing the offer of a cultivation event at Newmarket Racecourse.
Tireless in his work for the Fund even after leaving the Board of Trustees Mark has continues to build important connections for the Fund in East Anglia and is still hugely helpful and energetic.
Meurig is a farmer and an advocate of British farming. He was President of the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales (NFU) until 2018. He also served as Deputy President for eight years and Vice President until 2004. He has extensive experience of working with farmers, policy makers and key stakeholders to develop effective solutions to farming and countryside issues.
In 1989 Meurig was elected as one of the youngest NFU County Chairmen. He served as Pembrokeshire's NFU Council Delegate for 12 years. He was also appointed Governor of the Pembrokeshire College, Chairman of the South West Wales Flood Defence Committee, Member of the Food Farm Britain Council, Board member of the Home Grown Cereals Authority, Trustee of The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and a Council Member of Oxford Farming Conference.
Meurig was awarded an Honorary Fellowship at the Royal Agricultural University in 2018 and was presented with an Honorary Doctorate from Harper Adams University in 2014. He was awarded an MBE and CBE for outstanding services to the farming sector in the Queen's New Year's Honours list in 2014 and 2019 respectively.
Meurig Raymond is a farmer and an advocate of British farming. He was President of the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales (NFU) until 2018.
Miranda Hart is a comedian, writer and actress. She is best known for her hugely successful sitcom, Miranda, which ran for four series on the BBC and earned many awards. Her status as one of the UK's leading actresses was consolidated with her much loved role, Chummy, in the hit BBC 1 drama series Call the Midwife. In 2015 she starred in her first Hollywood movie, Spy, alongside Melissa McCarthy. Miranda made her West End debut in 2017 playing Miss Hannigan in Annie in a triumphant revival at the Piccadilly Theatre.
Miranda is also an author and her first book, Is It Just Me?, was the biggest selling non-fiction hardback of its publication year, staying at number one for 13 weeks and winning Non-Fiction Book of the Year at The National Book Awards. Her second book, Peggy and Me, came out in October 2016 and her first children's novel, The Girl With The Lost Smile, in October 2017.
Job Titles:
- Senior Trusts and Foundations Officer
Phil is a former English rugby union tighthead prop and member of the England squad.
"The reason why I support The [Royal] Countryside Fund is simple: our countryside needs help! From our farmers to local communities, rural Britain needs support in so many areas and with the help of The [Royal] Countryside Fund we can start to help such a wide range of people. Our countryside is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but is under huge pressure. I want to help people, raise awareness of the problems facing these communities and make sure future generations can be as inspired by it as I have been. In rugby team talks, I used to say, ‘it's not about one of us giving an extra 10 per cent, it's about 10 of us doing one per cent.' Whether you live in the city, country or town, we can all do a little bit to support our countryside, and The [Royal] Countryside Fund is encouraging people to do just that as well, in addition to helping those in the countryside who need our help."
Job Titles:
- Rural Communities Engagement Manager
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Development Committee
- Trustee
- Vice Chair
Rob was Managing Director of Waitrose & Partners from 2016 to 2020 and a member of the Main Board for The John Lewis Partnership. He joined John Lewis in 1993 and he moved across to Waitrose in 2007 to lead the setting up of waitrose.com after which he joined the Waitrose Management Board initially as Personnel Director and then as Retail Director. He is also a non-executive Director of Squires Garden Centres.
Sally is a British former track and field athlete who won the 1992 Olympic gold medal in the 400 metres hurdles.
"Britain's rolling green countryside is a national treasure but the custodians of this land, our farmers and rural communities, are facing some serious problems. Farmers are growing older, yet fewer young people are joining the industry and rural villages are losing essential services such as banks, post offices and shops. Competition from mass-produced foods means that British farmers earn less for the meat and crops that they produce. The [Royal] Countryside Fund is working hard to turn this trend around, which is why I am supporting them and all the work they do to help sustain the countryside that I love for the future generations."
Sara Bennison first joined the RCF as a Trustee in 2011 whilst in her role of CMO at Barclays. Through this Sara was hugely influential in developing the RCF's cause related marketing model that set the charity off to such a flying start. Over the years, Sara has benefitted the charity through her extensive knowledge of branding and marketing, most recently supporting the RCF in their 2021 rebrand.
Throughout her time as a Trustee, Sara was heavily involved in the RCF's grant programme, donating a huge amount of her time in assessing hundreds of grant applications and bringing a wealth of expertise professionally around good governance but also personally through her own experience of living in rural Wales. Since stepping down as a Trustee, Sara has kindly agreed to continue to sit on the RCF's Grant Sub-Committee as an Ex Officio member.
Job Titles:
- Global Chief Growth Officer and European CEO of the UK
- Global Chief Growth Officer and European CEO, VCCP
Stephanie is the Global Chief Growth Officer and European CEO of the UK's largest creative agency group, VCCP, famous for its longstanding work with some of the UK's most iconic brands including Cadbury's, VMO2, Comparethemarket.com, and Walkers. Joining in 2011 after starting her career in corporate and consumer PR, she has been instrumental in driving the group's international expansion and revenue growth.
During her 12 years she has navigated the parent company of VCCP, Chime Communications Limited (where she also holds the position of Managing Director) through the transition from a public to a private company, and sits on numerous executive boards within the group including Good Relations, VCCP Group and the board of Chime.
Externally, she also sits on the board of The Marketing Society, a not-for-profit organisation set up to champion and elevate the marketing and creative service's industry and professions. Stephanie has also been a member of the Development Committee for The Royal Countryside Fund for the past 2 years.
In 2010 Stephanie raced on foot to the North Pole, becoming the fastest woman to have ever done so, raising £50k for charity along the way.
A fiercely proud farmer's daughter, Stephanie's passion and interest in the British countryside and agriculture started in the heart of the rolling hills of Devon on her parents small, mixed family farm which she one day dreams of returning to with her 2 daughters and husband.
Stephanie joined VCCP, the UK's leading creative agency group, in 2011 after starting her career in corporate and consumer PR.
Job Titles:
- Group Chief Executive Officer, Hilton Foods
Steve is also a Non-Executive Director at Noble Foods. Steve was Co-op Group CEO having previously led the Co-op's Food business.
Tom is a rugby union player who plays as a hooker for Leicester Tigers in Premiership Rugby and between 2012-2015 he won 28 caps for England.
"I am very passionate about the countryside and the ways in which we should try to educate everyone, especially school aged children, about the importance of food - how does that pint of milk develop and where does the Sunday roast come from?
"Presently I am based in Leicester as a professional rugby player but I am very fortunate to be able to return to Norfolk to my family's mixed arable farm. Wide open spaces, green fields, lots of flora and fauna and beautiful skies. Beautiful, small rural villages with communities that have been born and bred there, generations after generations, many of whom are now finding it very difficult to make a living - we do need to support these people who care for the countryside. Many villages have lost their heart; the Post Office, the pub, the local shop - these are so important in keeping a village alive. There are some real characters in the countryside that are very clever - we must try to keep these rural skills alive - once they have gone, they are gone forever.