SouthDownsNationalPark

Future Countryside 2026 speakers

Welcome to the speakers' biography page for Future Countryside 2026. This page provides background information on the individuals contributing to our events and discussions.

Our speakers come from a range of sectors, including land management, policy, community development, and rural enterprise, all offering a variety of perspectives on the issues facing the countryside today.

Thomas Ableman

Thomas Ableman

FOUNDER,  FREEWHEELING
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Kirstie Allsopp

Kirstie Allsopp

PROPERTY EXPERT & TV PRESENTER
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Lord Barnard

RABY CASTLE & ESTATES
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MINETTE BATTERS

Minette Batters

PREVIOUS PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL FARMERS' UNION
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27

Craig Bennett

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS
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Julian_Glover

Julian Glover

CHAIR, LANDSCAPES REVIEW
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Sophie Gregory

Sophie Gregory

DAIRY FARMING CHAMPION
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Rachel Hayes

Rachel Hayes

HEAD OF CONSENTS AND ESG, SOLAR ENERGY UK
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Nick_Herbert

Nick Herbert

CHAIR, COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE
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Rob Hindle

Rob Hindle

LEADING ADVISOR ON RURAL ESTATE STRATEGY & DEVELOPMENT
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Simon Jenkins

Simon Jenkins

JOURNALIST & AUTHOR

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Sion_McGeever

Siôn McGeever

CEO, SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
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Luke Montagu

Luke Montagu

RURAL ENTREPRENEUR
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Nicole Moore

Nicole Moore

CONSERVATION-LED CREATOR & STORYTELLER
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Sarah_Mukherjee

Sarah Mukherjee

CEO, INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT
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emily_norton

Emily Norton

RURAL AND FARMING POLICY CHAMPION
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Mary-Ann Ochota

Mary-Ann Ochota

PRESIDENT, CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND & CHAIR, PROTECTED LANDSCAPES PARTNERSHIP
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René Olivieri

René Olivieri CBE

CHAIR, NATIONAL TRUST
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41

Natalie Prosser

CEO OF THE OFFICE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

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Matt Ridley

Matt Ridley

AUTHOR, FELLOW OF ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE AND OF ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
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Alexia Robinson

Alexia Robinson

FOUNDER, LOVE BRITISH FOOD
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Kate Rock

Kate Rock

CHAIR, TENANCY WORKING GROUP
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CHRIS SMITH

Chris Smith

CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
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Rupert Soames OBE

 CHAIR, SMITH & NEPHEW PLC
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Melanie Thompson-Glen

Melanie Thompson-Glen

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS AND INNOVATION, NATIONAL INNOVATION CENTRE FOR RURAL ENTERPRISE
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Alice Thomson

ASSOCIATE EDITOR, THE TIMES
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40

Chris Woodley-Stewart

DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH PENNINES NATIONAL LANDSCAPE
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Daniel Zeichner

Daniel Zeichner

MP FOR CAMBRIDGE
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