New Chairman for CLA

David Fursdon has been elected President of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents landowners, land managers and rural business owners in England and Wales.

David (52) lives in Devon where he runs a farming and tourism family business with his wife Catriona. David's election as President comes at an important time for the CLA as it approaches its 100th birthday in 2007. On his first day as new President, David Fursdon set out his objectives for the next two years:

"During my presidency, I want to look forward to the next 100 years of landownership and to raise awareness of the invaluable contribution it makes to this country. Whether it's managing the land for food production, environmental and biodiversity benefits; maintaining our stunning views and landscapes that attract domestic and global visitors; tackling the impact of climate change or looking for ways to create green energy; landowners and managers are there going the extra mile through personal interest, drive and enthusiasm. And that's without mentioning the upkeep of heritage sites and properties, forging new ways to provide affordable housing and providing jobs and investment opportunities in rural areas.

"The public sector and pressure groups have an important part to play in the formation of rural policy; however, it is only rural businesses who can actually deliver the goods that the public wants. I'd like to see a more a balanced approach to both policy-making and stakeholder engagement, where the rural businesses who are expected to deliver the desired results of the policy are at the centre of the consultation process."

David has recently been appointed a member of the Government's Affordable Rural Housing Commission. He is an Oxford graduate and worked for the Ministry of Defence in London and at the UN in Geneva before moving to Devon. After qualifying as a Rural Chartered Surveyor, he became a partner in Stags, a West Country surveying firm. He has chaired Mid-Devon Tourist Association and the Wessex branch of the Historic Houses Association.

Henry Aubrey-Fletcher takes up the post of Deputy President. Henry is director of a range of companies involved in rural economic activity including farming, property management (commercial and domestic), a nursing home, leisure and broadcasting. He is chairman of FOX FM - Oxfordshire and west Buckinghamshire's independent local radio station.

William Worsley was appointed vice-President. William lives in North Yorkshire and runs a family business involving residential and commercial property, farming and forestry. William is Chairman of the Scarborough Building Society.