With the National Rural Conference 2024 drawing nearer, anticipation is building for the array of expert speakers who will be sharing their knowledge and experiences. Set to take place virtually from 16th to 19th September, this year’s event, hosted on Zoom, is expected to bring together a wide array of senior officers, members, policymakers, and professionals dedicated to advancing rural services. Supported by NICRE and sponsored by BT, NALC, RABI, and the University of Lincoln, the conference promises to offer a rich platform for knowledge exchange and networking. With over 1,000 participants already registered, the interest in this year’s discussions and sessions continues to grow.

In this week’s spotlight, we are excited to introduce two remarkable speakers who will be making significant contributions to our conference.

Caron Whaley, Director of Services, RABI

Caron Whaley, Director of Services at the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), will share her expertise at the Rural Health & Care session on 19 September. With a background in Civil Engineering and Industrial Psychology, Caron transitioned to the third sector, where she now focuses on delivering holistic support to farming families. As a farmer’s daughter, Caron has a deep personal connection to the agricultural community, which enriches her understanding of their unique challenges. Her session will delve into the health and wellbeing of the farming community, providing valuable perspectives for those working to support rural health services.

Elizabeth Anderson, CEO, Digital Poverty Alliance

Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), will be speaking at the Rural Connectivity session on 17 September. Leading DPA’s efforts to eradicate digital poverty in the UK by 2030, Elizabeth engages with schools, industry partners, government leads, local authorities, and other charities. Her career in the nonprofit sector has focused on creating social change through strategic development, governance, and stakeholder engagement. Beyond her professional role, Elizabeth is a dedicated charity trustee and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Her insights during the session will be invaluable for addressing the digital divide in rural areas.

We look forward to the insightful contributions that Caron Whaley and Elizabeth Anderson will bring to the National Rural Conference 2024. Stay tuned as we continue to highlight more of our speakers, sponsors, and sessions in the lead-up to the event.

Join us in making a difference for rural communities!

The conference is free to attend for local authorities that are members of the Rural Services Network and members of the Rural Services Partnership. To verify your organisation’s membership or for any questions, contact events@sparse.gov.uk