Chairman: The Marquess of Abergavenny

Following 15 years working in the City of London, New York and Europe, I returned to the UK to work on the family estate.
I have focused on the sustainable fusion of urban and rural diversification, regeneration in addition to rural and local employment; advocating for social enterprise and charities; enabling small businesses and rural job creation.
I served eight years as a Local District Councillor, six years as Chairman of St John Kent, six years as a Trustee of Royal British Legion Industries and four years as National Chairman of the Conservative Rural Forum. I now look forward to progressing the Countryside Forum with our members.

The Marquess of Abergavenny

Vice Chairman : The Lord Lucas

Ralph Lucas was brought up in a Hampshire farming family and, having pursued botany from an early age, became engaged in environmental politics when he joined the Lords in 1992. He has a degree in physics, and pursued a career as a chartered accountant and a merchant banker before politics took over. He has been involved in owning and running The Good Schools Guide since 2000.

Convener and Secretary: Mr Andrew A Davis

Took a degree in Agriculture from the University of Oxford. Joined his father on the family tenanted farm in 1971. Surrendered his tenancy when the estate was sold in 1987. Became South East Regional Director for the CLA. Left the CLA after 13 years in 2004. Senior Lecturer Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. in aspects of estate management retiring in 2021. Freelance Journalist, Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Rural Forum. Secretary to the Advisory Committee British Game Assurance. Magistrate for 29 years, hobbies include choral singing, game shooting and golf

Treasurer: Mr Peter Geldart

Spent the first 25 years of my working life as a wine shipper and merchant, then in 1987 joined the Country Landowners Association to become the Regional Director of the East Midlands. Retired in 2002 and then was responsible for the CLA’s Charitable Trust until 2014,  disbursing grants to help disabled people and disadvantaged children to access and enjoy the countryside and its activities. Founding Trustee and Chairman of Nottinghamshire Rural Support 2013 to 2019. Trustee of a landed estate and director of its investment company 2006 – 2022.