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The CLA has announced Victoria Vyvyan as the new president of the land, property and businesses organisation representing rural England and Wales.

Ms Vyvyan - a farmer from Trelowarren in Cornwall - has officially succeed Mark Tufnell as the 56th president in the association's 116-year history today (November 9) after Mr Tufnell's two-year tenure came to an end.

Gavin Lane has been appointed CLA deputy president, while Joe Evans has been confirmed as vice president.

Having served as deputy president under Mr Tufnell's tenure, Ms Vyvyan has vowed to ‘champion the next generation' and progress the CLA's Rural Powerhouse campaign which aims to 'unleash the potential of the rural economy'.

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"I want every landowner, every farmer, every rural entrepreneur to know the CLA is on their side," Ms Vyvyan added.

"As president, I will be unrelenting in pursuit of an environment which allows our businesses, our landscapes and our way of life to thrive.

"This is a crucial time for farming and the rural economy, and the unique role the CLA plays has never been more important.

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"Environmental Land Management schemes are being rolled out, BPS is being cut, rural communities are being hit hard by the cost of living crisis, and persistently low economic productivity is hampering our businesses and workers.

"Yet farmers, landowners and rural businesses are dynamic and forward-thinking, helping to feed the nation, create jobs, build homes, fight climate change and look after the environment.

"With the right support and ambition the full potential of the countryside can be unlocked.

"I aim to work with the whole CLA team across England and Wales to make sure our members' interests are fairly represented in the run-up to the General Election and under the next government, whatever its colour."

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Ms Vyvyan has outlined the three priorities which will be at the heart of her presidency:

• Ensuring political parties develop robust and ambitious policies to grow the rural economy
• Supporting the next generation of rural businesses to succeed and thrive, from funding to skills provision
• Recognising and celebrating the regional differences that make the rural economy so vibrant and diverse, and ensuring their voices are heard

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