THE chief executive of the South Downs National Park Authority is retiring after 12 years.
Tim Slaney has been appointed as the interim chief executive officer ahead of outgoing CEO Trevor Beattie’s retirement on January 1.
Mr Beattie was the authority’s first permanent CEO, overseeing the progress the national park has made on biodiversity restoration, landscape enhancement, creating new access routes, raising the profile of the region at a national level and ensuring more people of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the South Downs.
Mr Slaney steps up after 12 years on the senior management team and leading the planning team. During his time as director he has managed the creation of the award-winning, landscape-led South Downs Local Plan, a leading neighbourhood community planning programme, new affordable housing, more infrastructure for local communities and a Community Infrastructure Levy scheme.
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Mr Slaney said: “It is an honour to be appointed interim chief executive and I look forward to building on the tremendous legacy that Trevor has passed on.
“Nature and people are at the heart of everything the national park does and I want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy this treasured landscape and reap the benefits of its beauty and biodiversity.
“It’s a crucial time for national parks, with new emerging policies around environment and access, nature, planning and climate change.
“I look forward to leading the authority’s dedicated staff team and working with our members, volunteers, partners, landowners, farmers, and communities to continue the national park’s innovative and creative work.”
Mr Beattie said: “I have been immensely proud to have been the first permanent chief executive of the South Downs National Park Authority, but the time has now come for me to retire. We have achieved a huge amount over the last 12 years and I know that the national park will continue to innovate and thrive under the leadership of Vanessa and Tim.”
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Vanessa Rowlands, chair, said: “Trevor Beattie has shaped this young national park over his 12 years of tenure into being a modern, dynamic and innovative national park authority, delivering on its priorities of nature recovery and action on climate change, as well as making it a welcoming Park for all communities of the UK.
“I know the whole authority wishes Trevor the very best in his retirement.
“With Tim Slaney as our interim CEO, we have continuity of strong leadership to steer us through this next phase. There are challenges ahead such as changes in national policy and pressures on funding, but I, and the rest of the membership, look forward to working with Tim and the new senior management team to deliver on our priorities.”
Mr Slaney was appointed following an authority members' meeting on Tuesday, December 12. He will lead a team of 180 people. The process of finding a permanent chief executive will begin next year.
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