Founders
Dame Fiona Reynolds
Director-General, The National Trust
Fiona has been Director-General of the National Trust for England, Wales and Northern Ireland since 2001. The Trust is one of the world’s most fascinating and effective charities, fulfilling its responsibilities to ‘look after special places for ever, for everyone’ through the ownership of 650,000 acres of land, 700+ miles of coastline, c250 great houses and their gardens and parks, tens of thousands of smaller vernacular buildings and many sites of nature conservation, archaeological and historic importance.
The Trust strategy focuses on engaging the Trust’s millions of supporters in its work; the nation’s built heritage, the countryside and the coast. The Trust is not just committed to engaging people in its conservation work but also to capturing their hearts, minds and bodies through participation, inspiration, enjoyment and refreshment.
Before arriving at the Trust, Fiona had a long career in the voluntary conservation movement (Council for National Parks and CPRE) and a short spell in the Cabinet Office as Director of the Women’s Unit from 1998-2000.
Fiona is married to Bob Merrill who looks after their three daughters and much else besides. The family lives in a small village near Cirencester among chickens, ducks, cats and vegetables.
Fiona was awarded a CBE in 1998 for services to the countryside and environment, and a DBE in 2008 for services to Heritage.
Ian Cheshire
Group Chief Executive, Kingfisher plc
Ian Cheshire was appointed Group Chief Executive of Kingfisher plc in January 2008. Prior to this he was Chief Executive of B&Q from June 2005. His previous roles at Kingfisher include Chief Executive of International and Development, Chief Executive of e-Kingfisher and Group Director of Strategy and Development. Before joining Kingfisher in 1998 he worked for a number of retail businesses including Sears plc where he was Group Commercial Director.
He is also a member of the Prince of Wales Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change and a Member of the Employers’ Forum on Disability President’s Group. Together with the National Trust, he is leading the we will if you will campaign to co-ordinate government, business and voluntary action on sustainable living.