§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he expects to announce the chairperson of the Countryside Agency; [69333]
722W(2) if he will make a statement on the qualities required of a person appointed to chair the Countryside Agency. [69334]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Department is looking for a candidate who
can demonstrate an excellent knowledge of, and commitment to, countryside and rural issues;has excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and who is at ease in dealings with the media, Ministers and a wide range of partners in the public and private sectors;has experience of managing a large organisation, has the ability to lead and motivate members and staff to ensure that the two existing agencies are successfully integrated into one Agency that is well equipped to take forward its exciting new mandate.It has taken longer than we would have wished to find the right person for this challenging role, but we expect to make an announcement shortly.