The parliamentary launch event will explore the findings of the 2023 Rural Shop Report and will feature a Government speaker who will outline the government’s vision for the rural economy, from supporting entrepreneurship, incentivising investment and meeting environmental ambitions.
Lord Benyon is the Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs and has served as a Minister at DEFRA since May 2021. Lord Benyon was the MP for Newbury from May 2005 to November 2019, and was arliamentary Under Secretary of State for Natural Environment, Water and Rural Affairs from May 2010 to October 2013. Prior to politics, Lord Benyon had a career in the army, where he served with the Royal Green Jackets from 1980 to 1985, Richard qualified as a chartered surveyor and ran a business which included farming, forestry and the management of rural and urban housing.
Selaine Saxby MP has been the MP for North Devon since December 2019. Saxby has a strong interest in rural issues, and recently led a Backbench Business Debate in Levelling Up Rural Britain. Saxby is a member of the Work & Pensions Select Committee and has previously been a PPS to the Environment Secretary and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. Outside of politics, Saxby her own online business for many years and founded and ran Pink Aerobics from 2003-2013, which raised over £500K for breast cancer charities through a series of aerobathons.
Daniel Zeichner MP has been the MP for Cambridge since 2015 and served as the Shadow Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries since January 2020. Zeichner was the Shadow Minister for Transport from 2015 to 2017 and chairs a number of All-Party Parliamentary Groups, including: Data Analytics, East of England, Life Sciences, Taxis and University. Prior to being elected an MP, Zeichner worked for the public sector trade union UNISON as a political officer.
James was appointed ACS Chief Executive in November 2006. He has led ACS on political and policy representation, driven a unique research programme that informs ACS’ policy work, launched an industry-leading assured advice scheme in partnership with Surrey County Council, and created a new and unique events programme. James is a member of ministerial advisory groups including the National Retail Crime Steering Group and the Retail Sector Council. He also sits on the boards of Community Alcohol Partnerships, the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and the London Food Board, and is a sector leader representative to the High Streets Task Force.
