A warm welcome to Tom Oliver, our new Chair of Trustees

Tom has long-standing ties with CPRE Herefordshire. As the son of former Patron Bishop John Oliver, Tom grew up with a strong awareness of the importance of our landscape. His earliest memories of Herefordshire date back to the 1960s.

He fondly refers to himself as being in his “third life with CPRE.” In his twenties, Tom began by volunteering with CPRE London. He later pursued a career in the private sector before retraining as a Landscape Architect. He went on to work at CPRE’s national office, where he led on Rural Policy for six years, before joining other prominent landscape and conservation charities, including the National Trust, Campaign for National Parks, and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

With experience spanning environmental policy, practical conservation, and private sector work, Tom is uniquely placed to understand the different, and not necessarily opposing, perspectives that shape our countryside. He believes strongly in creating dialogue between these sectors.

“The Herefordshire countryside is not here by accident.  It is the product of countless decisions over hundreds of years for better and worse. Like anything significant it comes at a cost.

What motivates me most is a wish that decisions which affect the landscape in Herefordshire, are well informed, wise, and worthwhile. If I can help that happen, I will be glad. “

Tom’s personal interests include the recovery of hay meadows and the diverse plants, fungi, and wildlife they support. He also cares deeply about the historic features of the countryside that help us understand our past and inspire us to protect our future.

“When I look at any view in Herefordshire, I see a range of endeavours at work – production and profit, recreation and relaxation, conservation, and care. I see it as the job of CPRE Herefordshire to help all these motivations respect the landscape as a whole and respect each other.

To me, Herefordshire is a beautiful landscape. Beautiful things are good for the well-being of people.  And when people like what’s around them, they look after it for future generations. My resolve is that CPRE is here to help that happen.”

With his deep-rooted connection to the county and wealth of experience in landscape and environmental policy, Tom brings invaluable insight to our work. We look forward to drawing on his expertise as we continue to champion and protect the Herefordshire countryside for generations to come.

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