A LEADING UK education charity based in Fairford has appointed a new chief executive.

Dr Victoria Edwards OBE, currently Associate Professor and Rural Programmes Director at the University of Reading’s Henley Business School, has been appointed by the Ernest Cook Trust (ECT).

Dr Edwards, a 52-year-old rural chartered surveyor and academic, has been a trustee of ECT since November 2007 takes over on October 1 following the retirement of current CEO Nicholas Ford.

The Trust actively encourages children and young people to learn from the land through free-of-charge education programmes on its estates, and by giving grants. Each year its Trustees distribute £1.8m to a range of education initiatives.

“I am so thrilled and excited to be given this opportunity,” said Dr Edwards. “Becoming chief executive of ECT brings together all my professional interests. I’ve always worked in land management and rural estates, originally as a land agent and latterly as an academic researcher, and I’m passionate about education and teaching.

“So to be able to combine these interests in one role – in an organisation I already know and have such affection for; it’s my dream job.”

Paying tribute to Mr Ford, she said: “His are huge boots to fill, and I’m so fortunate that I’m taking over from someone who has been so meticulous and competent in growing the trust to its current position of strength.”

Under his 14-year leadership, ECT, which owns and manages 22,000 acres of landed estates across five counties in England, has seen its education programmes grow from a few school visits to over 30,000 children a year.

Mr Ford said: ““I am delighted to be handing over the Chief Executive role to my very capable successor Victoria Edwards at such an exciting time of growth for the Trust.”

Andrew Christie-Miller, ECT’s chairman of trustees said: “We are all looking forward to working with Victoria in the months and years ahead. Her unique experience of both land agency and the academic world will be invaluable. This is a very exciting time for ECT and all those involved with it.”

As well as lecturing for more than 20 years, Dr Edwards has held a range of public appointments.

She has been a forestry commissioner and countryside commissioner, a non-executive director of the Countryside Agency and the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, and a member of the Burns Committee for the Inquiry into Hunting with Dogs.

She is also a council member of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and was awarded the OBE in 2004 for services to the environment.