Press release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Rural Services Network is delighted to welcome Nik Harwood, Chief Executive of Young Somerset, to be the newly elected Chair of the Rural Services Partnership

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing Chair, the Reverend Richard Kirlew for his time and dedication to the rural cause in recent years.  Reverend Kirlew has been a longstanding member of the Rural Services Partnership, and brought a range of rural experience to the role.

The Rural Services Partnership is the non-local authority arm of the Rural Services Network and has grown significantly in recent years and now includes over 200 organisations delivering services in rural areas ranging from housing associations to health trusts and national organisations to small charities. 

Nik said:

“I am delighted to follow Richard as Chair and look forward to working with colleagues from across the rural services landscape to ensure that the communities we serve are well-represented at a national level. It is crucial, in these dynamic and challenging times, that the additional needs, issues and opportunities of rural communities are presented with clarity to decision-makers.  The RSP is superbly placed to amplify the voice of rural communities across the country and I am excited to be working with partners to ensure that we can make a difference at every level.”

The Rural Services Partnership is part of the Rural Services Network, an organisation that aims to provide a voice for rural communities and service providers.  It is Chaired by the recently re-elected Chair, Councillor Cecilia Motley who represents Shropshire Council.  Councillor Motley is looking forward to working with Nik to ensure that the rural voice continues to be heard across all levels of Government.