Our Staff

Our highly experienced team is based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Find out more about them below – and use their contact details if you want to get in touch.

Deborah Clarke

Deborah Clarke

Rural Evidence Manager

Deborah joined ACRE in 1996 as part of the 21st Century Halls for England, a Millennium Commission Project. Since 2000, she has provided the dedicated Village Hall Information & Advice Service to the ACRE Network. Her responsibilities include working with rural community councils and village hall advisers; representing ACRE and the interests of village halls at national level; and managing the Rural Community Buildings Loan Fund.

01285 653477

Paul Dixon

Paul Dixon

Rural Evidence Manager

Paul joined ACRE in June 2008 as part of the Rural Infrastructure England project; an initiative financed by the Big Lottery Fund. His role within the policy team includes working with and supporting the development of the ACRE Network; contributing to ACRE’s national policy work and developing ACRE’s rural evidence base. He previously worked for a local Council for Voluntary Service as a Funding Advice Worker.

01285 653477

Our people

Richard Quallington

Richard Quallington

Executive Director

Richard joined ACRE in May 2015, following on from his role as chief executive at ACRE Network member Community First in Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Richard is a former vice chair of ACRE and past chair of Regional Action West Midlands (RAWM). A planner by training, he has many years’ experience of working with and lobbying on behalf of rural communities about affordable housing, transport, services, broadband and regeneration initiatives.

01285 653477

Sue Kirkman

Administrative and Events Coordination

Sue provides admin support and helps organise our events and conferences.

Veronica Hourihane

Finance and Accountancy Services

Veronica provides the finance and accountancy support for ACRE.

01285 700792