Chief Executive

Chief Executive Tony GatesTony Gates took up the post of Chief Executive of Northumberland National Park Authority in November 2005. Tony is leading the Authority's vision of supporting its communities and enterprises in the belief that the landscape is best nurtured by thriving local rural communities:

"I will continue to deliver the core purposes of conserving and enhancing the special qualities of the landscape whilst providing everyone with opportunities to enjoy it. However, our plans are based on the conviction that the landscape is best conserved by thriving communities and we aim to put local people and the local economy at the heart of everything the Authority undertakes. This is the approach I will be taking forward and I am greatly looking forward to working together with a wide range of people and organisations with an interest in the National Park to make this aim a reality."

Tony started work as a town planner in South Wales with Cardiff City Council in 1989, and moved into development work in The Gambia, West Africa in 1992. After returning to the UK in 1995, Tony worked with Chester City Council, moving back to Northern Ireland to take up a post in rural regeneration later that year.  In 1997, he then took up the post as Chief Executive of the newly created Mourne Heritage Trust – a partnership of central and local government agencies – which was established for the management of the Mourne and Slieve Croob Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With its boundary only 20 minutes from the centre of Belfast.

Tony has led the National Park Authority through a process of setting clear priorities for its future work and has recently led the reorganisation of the National Park Authority's resources (human and financial) to meet these priorties. Tony aims to see Northumberland National Park realise its potential as an asset for the North East region and the National Park Authority as a positive and enabling partner.

Contact:

Chief Executive
Northumberland National Park Authority
Eastburn,South Park
Hexham
NE46 1BS
Telephone: 01434 611514
Fax: 01434 600522