Simon Berry, ruralnet|uk’s long standing CEO, is taking a secondment with Defra to work on the delivery of their Third Sector Strategy and Greener Living Fund, launched on Monday. Simon, who is well-known in the sector for promoting networking and collaborative approaches and for his work with carbon-saving initiatives in rural areas, will be working with Defra part-time until the end of this year. He will take the position full time at the beginning of 2009. He will be taking long experience in the Third Sector - with charities, Social Enterprises, co-ops and community groups - to help Defra take forward this vital work. Board member Helen Cherry said, “Simon has always been passionate about strengthening rural communities and promoting innovative approaches. He is committed to helping organisations and the people they serve adapt to tackle climate change. This secondment will take his skills and experience in ‘joining-up’ front-line groups and forging cross-sector partnerships to the heart of Defra.” Simon launched the Rural Community Carbon Network over a year ago, to map groups working on climate change and help them to exchange experience. ruralnet|uk and Defra have worked on a variety of joint initiatives, including the Community Broadband Network, early initiatives to counter the impact of Foot and Mouth, engaging communities in harnessing the power of online information and the subsided place scheme at the ruralnet|uk annual conference for community representatives.

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10 November 2008
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