Rural England C.I.C, a key partner of the Rural Services Network, has announced they are appointing a new Research Director

Since Rural England was formed over seven years ago Brian Wilson has been their main researcher and the author (amongst other research studies) of the much respected State of Rural Services reports

Brian has taken the decision to step back from that role and Rural England are delighted to report the appointment of a new Research Director, Professor Martin Phillips.

Martin is Professor of Human Geography at the University of Leicester, and currently leads the Critical and Creative Geographies research group in the School of Geography, Geology and Environment.

He has 30 years of experience of conducting research on issues of rural social, cultural and environmental change, including studies of service provision, social displacement, gentrification, energy and landscape transitions, and rural community responses to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Most of his research has focused upon England's rural areas although he has also been involved in studies of rural areas in Africa, Asia, Australasia and North America, as well as examinations of rural change in other parts of the UK.

Speaking on behalf of the Directors of Rural England C.I.C. Graham Biggs, its Company Secretary, said:

"The Directors wish to pay tribute to the work of Brian Wilson over the last seven years or so. It is no exaggeration to say that without Brian the Company would not have flourished in the way which it has since its formation, bringing much needed focus to issues affecting the people, communities and businesses of rural England. We are delighted to say that Brian will remain a Director of the Company.

We consider ourselves fortunate to have secured the services of Martin Phillips into the role of Research Director through an arrangement with the University of Leicester and we very much look forward to working with him in continuing our work.

The aim of Rural England’s work remains to further the understanding of issues affecting people, businesses and communities in rural areas of England that will provide objective evidence to inform and influence policy and policymakers.

This supports our mission, to build the strength and resilience of rural England by helping to inform and engender better rural policy making.

We will do this by encouraging informed debate, providing independent research and evidence, supporting informed information exchange and building a network that draws together those who seek to sustain and improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of rural England."

Directors will soon be meeting with Martin to agree the Rural England research programme for the coming year.