Kath will help steer the future conservation of the Chilterns

KATH Daly, who lives in Thame, has been appointed as the Acting Chief Officer of the Chilterns Conservation Board. She will take up her new duties in January 2015 for a six month period following the retirement in December of Steve Rodrick, who has held the post since 1994.

Kath Daly

Ian Reay, the Chairman of the Board, said: “Kath has been the Board’s Countryside Officer since 2005 and we are delighted to announce that she will take over from Steve early next year. The next three months will provide a valuable opportunity to organise a smooth handover. In the first half of 2015 Kath will have a key role in working with the Board to review how we manage the organisation. We expect to make decisions about the long term next June.”

Steve Rodrick welcomed the appointment: “Kath will do a great job and enjoys the full confidence of the staff, Board members and, importantly, our partners. Kath is well known to many of those we work with and the continuity she will provide will be a real bonus in what remain challenging and changeable times.”

Kath has a degree in Environmental Science from Southampton University. After graduating she worked on wildlife projects in Central and South America followed by several years in South Wales as a Community Services Manager. Prior to joining the Conservation Board in 2005 she had been the manager of the Brecks Countryside Project in Suffolk.

Kath herself told Thame.Net: “This is an important moment of change after 20 years of Steve’s leadership. I’m excited about working with Board members, partners and staff over the next few months to help shape the course for the future.”

To find out more about the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty, visit the website:  www.chilternsaonb.org