Countryside Alliance chief resigns

30 July 1998

Countryside Alliance chief resigns

By FWi staff

EDWARD DUKE, the chief executive of the Countryside Alliance (CA), has resigned less than three months after he was appointed.

Mr Duke, a successful Yorkshire-born businessman, took over from Robin Hanbury-Tenison on 1 May. He was previously chief executive of Beauford plc, a publicly quoted engineering ceramics group employing over 2,000 people.

Mr Dukes appointment met with fierce criticism from many of the CAs members and he faced almost immediate criticism over his management style, big salary package and expensive company car.

The woman behind the Countryside March, Janet George, resigned from her post as the CAs chief press officer soon afterwards. Ms George claimed that Mr Dukes appointment and high salary was in danger of alienating the organisations grass-roots members.

Mr Duke said last night that it was clear to him the organisation did not require a person of his business experience.