New Chair of the Rural Coalition appointed

A new Chair of the Rural Coalition has been appointed following the retirement of longstanding Chair Margaret Clark CBE.

Mark Pragnell took over the reins of the Coalition last week, at a meeting which included a visit from DEFRA Minister Daniel Zeichner MP who wished Margaret well and thanked her for her years of service advocating for rural communities.

Margaret has held numerous posts in key rural organisations during her distinguished career, including as a Director of the Commission for Rural Communities, Countryside Agency, the Chair of Hastoe Housing Group, Chair of Plunkett Foundation and the President of ACRE before leading the Rural Coalition for the past 8 years. 

The Rural Coalition comprises twelve national organisations who subscribe to a vision for a living and working countryside in England.

The Rural Coalition believes that no-one should be unfairly disadvantaged simply because of geography and that every rural resident should have fair access to jobs, to housing and to basic services, whilst every rural business should have the opportunity to grow and prosper. This includes being able to share in the opportunities that arise from the transition to net zero.

Mark Pragnell, the new Chair of the Coalition, said:

“The Rural Coalition brings together twelve amazing organisations to provide a powerful voice for rural communities. I am honoured to be taking the reins from Margaret, who has tirelessly advocated for those who live and work in England’s countryside.

Rural areas have long faced the challenges of failing infrastructure, poor connectivity and unfair funding systems that do not take proper account of the additional rural costs associated with delivering essential services.

As an economist, I also recognise rural England’s substantial untapped economic potential. Treating rural communities fairly isn’t just good for those communities, it is good for UK plc.”

Mark, an economist and managing director of Pragmatix Advisory is also chair of English Rural Housing Association and the Independent Commission on the future of Brandon. He brings with him not only experience of the issues experienced by rural communities, but also an analytical approach to helping organisations develop and promote robust evidence based policies and plans. He was lead author of The Rural Coalition’s Reigniting rural futures report.

The President of the Rural Coalition, The Lord Bishop of Newcastle, Helen-Ann Hartley also thanked Margaret for her work and commitment to rural communities and policy which has unwavered through changes of government and policy approach:

“Margaret has been an exceptional Chair of the Rural Coalition since 2016. She has been truly inspiring and has helped us all to keep our focus on the key issues. I am thankful for her leadership. I now look forward to working with Mark Pragnell, who brings an enormous amount of relevant experience to the role, to continue giving a voice to the needs of rural communities across England.”

The Rural Coalition includes: Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), Arthur Rank Centre, CPRE the Countryside Charity, National Centre for Rural Health and Care, National Association of Local Councils, National Farmers Union, National Housing Federation, Plunkett UK, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Royal Town Planning Institute, Rural Services Network and Town and Country Planning Association.