Jim is a biologist who worked throughout his career in conservation, the public service and heritage. As a graduate, he held numerous research, survey and short contract posts before being appointed Agriculture Policy Officer for the RSPB, working in London, Brussels and widely across Europe. He then went on to join the civil service , working in the MAFF policy unit where he played a role in helping create the new department Defra. He then moved to become Chief Executive of the Peak District National Park Authority, a role he held for 11 years. In the last 4 years of his time in the Peak District, he led the UK family of national parks. He now has a portfolio career and has held non-executive roles with Defra (the Independent Agricultural Appeals Panel), Northumbrian Water, The National Heritage Memorial Fund and the NHS. He is also the Director of a small, specialist tourism business, a books and antiques business and he writes a monthly column on nature for The Times. He was recently a member of the Glover Review of National Parks and AONB and has been the independent person on public body appointment panels.
Perdita Hunt is an Arts, Heritage and Leadership consultant. She tutors on the Recess College Senior Leaders sabbatical programme. She is a consultant for Leadership Insight, a Deputy Lieutenant for Surrey, volunteer specialist Advisor for the National Trust, Board member of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Trustee of the Foundling Museum and Baynards Zambia Trust and was, until recently, the Director of Watts Gallery Trust. As consultant and trained facilitator, Perdita has led a number of strategy and governance workshop with charities. Perdita is a trained arts administrator. She worked in senior positions at the Arts Council England, NHMF and WWF-UK. Prior to this she worked as theatre projects co-ordinator at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff, marketing and development director at the Aldeburgh Foundation in Suffolk.
As Director of the Watts Gallery–Artists’ Village, Perdita led the Restoration Project to save the future of the Gallery and its collection, the acquisition and restoration of the Watts house and studio and re-established the Artists’ Village in Compton.
She was awarded an OBE in 2015, in 2018 Perdita was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Surrey for her contribution to arts and philanthropy.
These roles are remunerated at £6560. These reappointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments, the process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Government’s Governance Code requires that any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years is declared. This is defined as holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation or candidature for election. Mr Dixon and Ms Hunt have not declared any activity.
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