Landowners to keep London HQ
23 January 2001
Landowners to keep London HQ
By Isabel Davies
THE Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is to retain its London headquarters after months of speculation that it could move to a cheaper site.
Anthony Bosanquet, CLA president, announced on Tuesday (23 January) that the association would keep its London base in Belgrave Square.
“It is becoming more and more clear that regional input on policy is the way that things are going,” he said.
“The conclusion was that we needed a London base, weve got a very good one and we should stay.”
Following a review of the organisations structure, the CLA has appointed a chief executive to replace director-general Julian Anderson, who left last April.
Mark Pendleton, who has a background in public affairs, will take up his position on 1 March, reporters were told at a press briefing in London.
Mr Pendleton, who has worked for companies including BAA and British Gas, said he was delighted to joining an organisation of the CLAs stature.
Outlining his priorities, he said one would be to make sure that the CLA was the natural home of anyone who relied on the rural community.
“I want to reassert the CLA as the authoritative voice of the countryside and rural business,” he added.
In line with its new ambitions, the organisation will also restructure some of its operations in a bid to become more effective for its members.