Company

Rural England (CIC)

Graham Biggs
Chair/Secretary/Director
Graham is a Chartered Secretary by profession and was the Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network from its inception to 31st March 2023. He has over 20 years’ experience in rural service delivery issues having been the Chief Executive of one of the largest and most sparsely populated (former) District Councils in England. He is a Director of the National Centre for Rural Health and Care.
Brian Wilson
Director
Brian is a research professional with twenty years experience of rural community and development issues. His earlier career included senior management positions at the Countryside Agency and Commission for Rural Communities.
David Inman
Director
David is a solicitor involved with the Rural Services Network throughout its development. He was the Policy Director at West Devon Borough Council for 25 years. He was previously with Dorset County Council and the London Borough of Enfield. West Devon takes in Dartmoor and the Tamar Valley so has been working with rural communities for much of his life.
Steve Emery
Director
Steve is a Senior Lecturer in the Sociology of Agriculture at the Centre for Rural Policy Research at the University of Exeter. He has over 17 years of research and consultancy experience in matters concerning the functioning of rural society and the use of rural space. He has particular specialism in farming communities, their culture, behaviour and decision-making in relation to policy. Before returning to academia Steve was an environmental consultant with Scott Wilson.
Professor Janet Dwyer OBE
Director
Janet joined the CCRI in 2002 after working for more than a decade in a government agency and an independent policy think-tank.
She was awarded the title of Professor of Rural Policy in 2010 and was the Director of CCRI from 2013 until 2021.
Duncan Carter
Director
Info to follow…
Martin Philips
Director
Info to follow…
Polly Gibb OBE
Director
Polly has worked with rural micro-businesses for over 20 years, formerly working with female-led businesses as Director of WiRE, and more recently as head of enterprise at Harper Adams University in Shropshire. Prior to WiRE, she worked for environmental charities in the UK and abroad.
Bethan Aldridge
Assistant to the Directors of Rural England CIC
For over 25 years, I have worked in NHS, Local Government and National Parks. Roles have included Human Resources, Training and Development and latterly office management in Social Services, Education and Health. Since 2009, I set up an office management company providing support to local and national businesses. I have worked for Rural England for over 5 years providing office support to the Directors.

Rural England is a registered Community Interest Company (company Number 9023202) and its Registered Company Office is 1 Aldon View, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9EQ.

To view the organisations certificate of Incorporation of a Community Interest Company click here