Chilterns Conservation Board appoints new CEO

AS our traditional landscape faces uncertainty and change, the Chilterns Conservation Board (CCB), which is based in Chinnor, has announced that Dr Elaine King has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer and will take up the post today, July 9, 2019.

Elaine King, the new CEO of the Chilterns Conservation Board

Elaine joins the CCB from her role as Director of Wildlife and Countryside Link, a coalition of 52 non-governmental organisations in England with diverse interests across nature conservation, landscape protection and animal welfare. Elaine is also a serving Secretary of State appointed Member of the Chilterns Conservation Board and will resign from this post in accordance with DEFRA rules.

As Chief Executive Officer, Elaine will ensure the Chilterns Conservation Board fulfils its purposes: to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB; and to increase the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the AONB.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Elaine’s passion and experience to lead the CCB forward as we continue to care for the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,” said Ian Reay, Chairman of the CCB. “It is an exciting time in the natural environment and landscape sectors, and Elaine is an environmental visionary, with a proven track record, who is well-positioned to ensure the protection of the landscape as it faces a period of unprecedented change.”

“I am excited to have been appointed the CCBs next CEO. It is a privilege to be able to lead an organisation dedicated to caring for the Chilterns landscape,” said Elaine. “The Chilterns is a very special place and I am looking forward to working with the CCB’s staff team, Board members and our many partner organisations, to ensure that we effectively conserve the Chilterns now and into the future.”

Elaine succeeds Sue Holden who, having grown the CCB’s income and staff capacity over the past four years, leaves the Chilterns Conservation Board at the end of July 2019 to pursue new challenges in the environment sector.

“I can think of no one better to lead the Chilterns Conservation Board. Elaine’s experience as Director of Wildlife and Countryside Link, combined with her longstanding career in the environment sector and passion for the Chilterns countryside, make Elaine the perfect choice for the Board,” said Sue.

Elaine has a degree in Applied Biology from Brunel University and a PhD for her research on bovine tuberculosis in badgers and cattle from Bristol University. Before taking time out to raise her two children, Elaine was Chief Executive of the Badger Trust, a charity which promotes the conservation and protection of badgers. Raised near the East Sussex coast, she is passionate about the great outdoors and spends as much time as she can exploring the Chilterns from her Prestwood home and taking holidays in wild places.