The rural support charity Action with Communities in Rural England has appointed Corinne Pluchino as its next chief executive.
Pluchino, who is director of fundraising, marketing and communications at the wetlands and wildlife charity WWT, succeeds Richard Quallington, who stepped down last year after eight years in the role.
Before joining WWT, Pluchino was chief executive of the Campaign for National Parks and held senior roles with the armed forces charity Ssafa and a communications consultancy.
She has also been a trustee of the countryside charity CPRE.
She said: “I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to join Acre, and to work with its network of 38 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: “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.”
Pluchino will take up her new role at the end of May.