Foundation for Common Land Executive Director Dr Julia Aglionby to enter the House of Lords
Everyone at the Foundation for Common Land is thrilled that our Executive Director, Dr Julia Aglionby, will be taking up her seat in the House of Lords in early November. We know that we will retain Julia’s support; but as she will be working from the benches of the House of Lords; Julia will step down as Executive Director at the Foundation for Common Land on 16th October. She has the full support of all at FCL and we wish her well in her new role.
Chris Short, FCL Chair, said of the appointment:
“This accolade is a worthy recognition of Julia’s huge commitment to the active management of common land and the livelihoods of upland farmers and land managers across England. The most recent example was the #includecommons campaign, which focused attention on the inability of those managing common land to enter into agri-environment schemes. That commons will now be able to apply for schemes is down to the persistence of Julia in making and presenting the evidence of the impact this was having on some of our most iconic landscapes and those who manage them.”
In recent years the Foundation for Common Land has expanded its operational side delivering local and national projects with partners such as ‘Our Upland Commons’ – all focused on the collaborative management of common land, for nature recovery, sustainable farming livelihoods and the wider public benefit. As a result, FCL has grown to six staff and seven Trustees working across England with a range of partnerships and commoners. This work continues through the commitment and endeavours of the expert staff and trustees and the generous support of our funders. We also value our close working relations with Defra, the RPA and Natural England.
In early 2027 we will be recruiting a new Executive Director. In the short-term the management team, wider staff and trustees will continue the excellent work of the past few years delivering solutions with partners for effective management on common land and working to make policy better for all those connected to these amazing landscapes.
For further information please contact
Laura Gray, Director of Operations, Foundation for Common Land laura@foundationforcommonland.org.uk