Season's Greetings

This year the countryside has taken centre stage as the public, policymakers and those who live and work in the countryside respond to the increasing demands on our rural places and natural assets as a key part of the solution to many of the biggest issues we face – food security, climate change, nature loss, public health, and wellbeing.

At the CLA Business Conference, Rural Solutions’ Non-Executive Director Heather Hancock addressed the delegates with a rallying call to seize the opportunities presented by what she described as a one-off chance to restructure the rural economy. Many of our clients are already deeply engaged in this challenge.

We have enjoyed a busy year working on some inspiring projects and we are gearing up for a strong start to 2024 with ongoing projects and fabulous new client initiatives shaping the future of rural development. To round off the year, I asked our Heads of Departments to share their highlights and set out what’s on their agenda for next year. Read what they had to say here.

Image: Rural communities gathered in Skipton (credit - Lucy Saggers)

For me, our recent involvement with The Royal Countryside Fund’s Confident Rural Communities event was a real standout. We were privileged to be asked to support the Fund to design and deliver an event which will shape their future strategy to help more rural communities thrive.

Spending two days in the company of those who really have got their sleeves rolled up making things happen in the countryside was inspiring and reaffirmed that the driver for rural development is always to create better places for people.

And with that I leave you with best wishes for a wonderful festive season and wish you peace and prosperity for the new year from the whole team at Rural Solutions.

William