This week, at our Annual General Meeting, we thanked Brendan McCarthy for his nine years of service for our Board: six as Chair, and nine years on the Board overall. He has now concluded his terms with the Board, and passes the baton to our new Chair, Rebecca Charley.
Brendan built a distinguished 48 year career in environmental stewardship, heritage leadership, and public service, beginning with the National Trust. There, he demonstrated a deep commitment to conservation and the careful management of our most valued landscapes and historic places. He took that knowledge to lead the Greenwich Foundation as Chief Executive, overseeing the conservation and transformation of one of Britain’s most iconic historic sites as a cultural destination with enhanced public benefit.
He brought that same depth of experience, and passion for place, to the role as Chair of this Board.
Over the past six years, Brendan has led the organisation through a period of change and opportunity, always with clarity, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose.
Under his guidance, the Board has strengthened its voice – championing the protection and enhancement of the Cotswolds while recognising it as a living, working landscape. He has influenced the delivery of the Management Plan, supported vital partnerships with local authorities, farmers and communities, and helped position the organisation to respond to the pressing challenges of nature recovery, climate change, and sustainable tourism.
Just as importantly, or even more so, Brendan has been strong and consistent advocate for collaboration – bringing people together and fostering a shared commitment to the future of this wonderful landscape. His leadership and steady hand have earned the respect of board members and partners alike.
Brendan said of his time with the CNL Board, “It’s been a real privilege to chair the Cotswolds National Landscape Board over the last six years. During that time, working with two excellent Chief Executives in Andy Parsons and Bex Waite, together with their teams, we’ve achieved a lot. In close partnership with many local authorities and other organisations, there’s been real progress on nature recovery, climate action and improved access for many different audiences across the Cotswolds, all underpinned by good governance and strong finances. Our role in planning is as important as ever, helping authorities to make the balanced decisions increasingly necessary in this busier, more populated and ever more popular landscape.
All this will continue in to the future and I wish Rebecca Charley, the new CNL Chair, the very best as she take’s the organisation forward.”
We now welcome Rebecca Charley as our new Chair, and look forward to continuing under her leadership. Of her move into the Chair role, Rebecca said, “I have worked alongside Brendan for the last 6 years, seeing the organisation become more stable and forward-looking. Working well with local authorities and developing strong partnerships with many other organisations, has been a hallmark of this period. He has been a great Chairman to work with, and an excellent example to learn from. I am really looking forward to taking on the role of Chair at a moment when the countryside is under a great deal of pressure. CNL is set to help and support the future environmental land management that is needed, but is also there to offer space to our residents and visitors.”
As a team, we will all miss Brendan after his nine years on the Board, and we are immensely grateful for Brendan’s time and efforts and the for the lasting contribution he has made to the Cotswolds. We look forward to seeing how Rebecca will embrace the role, supported by her new Vice Chair, Andrea Graham.