Clive Henderson to take up new role on BW Board
19 July 2010
British Waterways (BW) and Defra are considering the creation of two new positions of Special Advisors to the BW Board in order to support the proposed transition of BW’s canals and rivers in England and Wales into civil society. The unpaid positions will have full Board Member status and would advise and support BW as it builds the model and then transfers to the civil society.
While details of the new positions and selection process are being considered, BW and the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) have today (19 July) announced that Clive Henderson will take on the interim role as Observer to the Board, attending all Board Meetings until the final selections are made.
BW chairman Tony Hales explains: “There is now real enthusiasm for the idea of establishing a new ‘national trust’ for the waterways. For this to happen we have to begin a root and branch change in the way all those who love the waterways - the managers, the users and the campaigners - work together.”
“I cannot think of a better person to help us start this process than Clive. As chairman of the IWA and chairman elect of the British Waterways Advisory Forum, as well as being a respected waterway campaigner of 25 years, he brings great experience and wisdom at a time when we are looking to build a completely new organisation to care for our waterways in the future.”
Welcoming the news Clive said: “We are at a crossroads in the history of the waterways. The goal that so many campaigners have worked so long and so hard to achieve is within sight and we have a British Waterways and a Government who are genuinely open to new ideas of working. We now have a great opportunity to work together for a common goal. For my part I am delighted to have the chance to play a role in the reshaping of British Waterways.”
ENDS
For media enquiries contact:
Jonathan Ludford, British Waterways, 020 7985 7275 jonathan.ludford@britishwaterways.co.uk
Jo Gilbertson, IWA, 01494 783 453 Ext 611 jo.gilbertson@waterways.org.uk