René Olivieri has been announced the new Chair of the National Trust, taking up the post in February of next year, replacing predecessor Tim Parker following his decision to step down in May after seven years in the position.

Olivieri will be the 14th Chair of the Trust since it was established in 1895. The Trust said Olivieri has pledged “to bring his unique experience in both culture and nature to become a forceful advocate for the charity”.

Olivieri was previously Interim Chair of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a member of both the Culture Recovery Fund Board and DCMS’s Cultural and Heritage Capital Advisory Board.

He was Chair of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts for six years and has been Chair of the RSPCA since 2019.

In accepting the role Olivieri said: “We must all work together to preserve and promote our heritage while taking climate action and restoring nature. I want to ensure the National Trust, which is privileged to be able to take such a long view, plays a leading role in realising these ambitions.”

Olivieri’s role at the charity will be to provide leadership to the Board of Trustees and the Council and to support and guide the Director-General, Hilary McGrady and her team, in the delivery of the charity’s strategy.

Deputy Chair Orna NiChionna Turner is currently acting as Chair and will continue until Olivieri takes up the role formally.

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