Alice Barnard named as new Countryside Alliance chief executive

The Countryside Alliance (CA) has a new chief executive.

Alice Barnard, the former CA regional director for the Eastern area, was appointed as chief executive today (Monday 20 September). She starts the role on 4 October, taking over from Simon Hart.

Alice (33) started hunting at the age of nine with the High Peak Hunt in Derbyshire. She is a former master of the Cambridge University Drag Hounds and now hunts in Leicestershire.

She previously worked in London in corporate sales for seven years, but now lives in Leicestershire with her husband Matt and daughter Isobel.

“I am delighted that Alice has accepted the position. She is a talented and outstanding person who is well placed to take the CA through the many exciting challenges that lie ahead,” said CA chairman Kate Hoey.

Alice added: “Working in the regions over the last three years, directly with our members and volunteers has been a privilege. I am fully committed to driving forward the campaigning and charity work of the CA across a broad range of issues, and look forward to continuing our commitment to rural communities.

“The Alliance has a wide agenda but field sports will remain its backbone, and repeal of the Hunting Act is a key objective.”

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