From 2001 to 2012 Fiona was Director-General of the National Trust. She has worked for environmental charities (Council for National Parks, CPRE) all her adult life, except for a three-year stint in the Cabinet Office as director of the Women’s Unit (1998–2001).

She is fascinated by land use and rural policy, and the way nature, history and beauty inspire people to want to become engaged in their protection. Fiona has recently become Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge and holds non-executive roles in the BBC and Wessex Water.

As a trustee of Green Alliance she enjoys the chance to remain close to the wider green agenda.