Heritage expert new chair of Broads Authority

Dr Stephen Johnson replaces Professor Kerry Turner, who has stepped down after five years as chairman and 11 years as a member of the Authority.

Professor Turner, who is director of both the Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE) and of the Zuckerman Institute for Connective Environmental Research at the University of East Anglia, will continue to chair the Broads Authority’s Climate Change Panel.

Chief Executive John Packman said: “We are greatly indebted to Kerry. During his term as chairman the Authority made some major changes, including the transfer of dredging from May Gurney and the reduction in the number of Authority members from 35 to 21.”

“We are greatly looking forward to working with Stephen. His experience with the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage, knowledge of the management of public bodies, and national contacts will be invaluable to the Authority as it moves forward in the challenging economic and environmental environment we all face.”

Stephen Johnson said: “I am honoured to have been selected by the members of the Broads Authority for this responsibility. I am particularly keen that the Authority continues to develop its pioneering work in helping as wide an audience as possible to understand and enjoy this very special landscape.”

Dr Johnson, who lives in Norwich, was UK Director of Operations at the Heritage Lottery Fund from 1997 to 2007, and head of the National Heritage Memorial Fund for part of that time.