The Royal Countryside Fund welcomes Charlotte Weston as a new trustee

As the charity continues to expand its support for farming families and rural communities, this new appointment will help ensure the RCF’s board of trustees is well positioned to continue the vision of the RCF’s Royal Founding Patron, HM King Charles III, providing practical support and empowering people who live and work across Britain’s countryside.

Charlotte is Sustainability, Clients and Markets Leader, EMEIA Public Policy at EY. She has extensive business advisory and sustainability experience, working with the private sector, government and non-profit organisations.

Charlotte is deeply committed to work that delivers positive and lasting impact on people’s lives, communities and the environment. She is passionate about protecting and restoring nature, and sustainable food and farming systems. 

From December 2021 to December 2023, Charlotte was seconded  to the Sustainable Markets Initiative, as Chief Governance and Reporting Officer, working with a network of 200+ global CEOs  driving action and impact across a range of high-focus sustainability areas.

Charlotte is a member of The Royal Countryside Fund’s development committee. She is also a member of the Earthshot Prize’s ‘Protect & Restore Nature’ Expert Advisory Panel, which plays a key role in reviewing unique, impactful and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, and supporting start ups and scale ups.

She has a MSc in Leadership from King’s College London and is currently completing a MBA in Food and Agriculture at the Royal Agricultural University.

On her appointment, Charlotte said, “The UK’s agricultural sector is not only critical in food production and supporting rural livelihoods, it can also play a key role in addressing the climate and nature challenges we face. The work of the RCF in supporting thriving and resilient farm businesses and rural communities is vital in positively impacting the environment, biodiversity and communities. I’m honoured to join the board of trustees and look forward to supporting RCF’s work and vision to power up family farms and rural communities across the UK.”

Heather Hancock LVO DL, Chair of the RCF’s board of trustees, said, “It’s a great pleasure to welcome Charlotte to our board. Since joining our development committee, her expertise and guidance have greatly enhanced the success of our approach to sustainability and partnerships. We will benefit enormously from her insight as the board carries out an ambitious strategy for the long-term direction of the Fund, against a background where demand for our practical and on the ground support has never been greater.”