Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) appoints new Chief Executive

She replaces Richard Quallington who announced his departure last year, having spent 8 years in the role.

Corinne is currently Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications at WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife. She has previously served as Chief Executive of Campaign for National Parks and has held senior roles with SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and Hill & Knowlton, the global communications consultancy. She is also a former trustee of CPRE, the countryside charity.

With expertise in communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement, her experience includes housing and development, environmental, farming, health, and social care issues. She aims to put the needs and interests of rural communities firmly on the next government’s agenda.

Speaking of her appointment, Corinne said “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to join ACRE, and to work with its network of thirty-eight member organisations that are dedicated to supporting rural communities across England. It is essential that the significant challenges faced by many people living in rural areas are better understood and they are not disadvantaged by where they live. There are also real opportunities to achieve change through positive action. I am looking forward enormously to working with the ACRE team, the wider network and our partners to deliver these ambitions.”

James Blake, Chair of ACRE said, “We are delighted to be welcoming Corinne to ACRE at this important time for our organisation. With the prospect of a new government on the horizon, it is essential we have someone of Corinne’s calibre in post to build our reputation for championing the needs of rural communities, as well as continuing to deliver for our members.”

Corinne will be joining ACRE at a time of adaptation in its network where members have stepped up to help rural residents through the cost-of-living crisis; delivering new projects to improve health and wellbeing, supporting individuals with fuel poverty, and developing a new network of Rural Housing Enablers to help communities secure more affordable homes.

Corinne will take up her appointment at the end of May.

Notes to editors 

Press contact: Phillip Vincent, 01285 425645, p.vincent@acre.org.uk

ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) is a charity speaking up for and supporting rural communities. It is the national body of the ACRE Network, England’s largest rural grouping of charities which facilitate a wide range of community-led initiatives that encourage a culture of volunteering and mutual aid, reduce social isolation and loneliness, increase the supply of affordable housing, boost the local economy, and reduce impact on the environment.

I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to join ACRE, and to work with its network of thirty-eight member organisations that are dedicated to supporting rural communities across England. It is essential that the significant challenges faced by many people living in rural areas are better understood and they are not disadvantaged by where they live. 

Corinne Pluchino