René Olivieri CBE became Chair of the National Trust in February 2022.

Prior to his role at the National Trust, Rene has chaired a number of environmental and animal welfare charities. In 2007, René was elected as Chair of Tubney Charitable Trust, a funding organisation which supports animal welfare and nature conservation charities. He subsequently served for six years as Chair of the Wildlife Trust. He joined the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2018, first as Senior Independent Director, and then as Interim Chair. During this time he became a member of the £2 billion Culture Recovery Fund Board, and continues to serve on the Government’s Cultural and Heritage Capital Advisory Board.

René was also appointed Chair of the RSPCA in 2019, and since then has helped guide the organisation through many changes to its governance, finances and operational strategy.

René has resided in England since 1980 but was born in the USA. Prior to his various chair roles, he worked in publishing, specifically gaining in depth experience in scientific research and higher education. He was CEO of Blackwell, an international publishing house specialising in scientific and academic texts.