Peak District National Park Authority announces Janet Dugdale new chair

The Peak District National Park Authority has announced a new chair, following its Annual General Meeting held on Friday 10 July.

Newly-elected Authority Chair Professor Janet Dugdale has been a DEFRA-appointed national-level Secretary of State Member since 2019. She has served as Chair on many committees and working groups within the Authority during this period, including leading on climate change initiatives and is also a Trustee of the Peak District National Park Foundation. She has acted as Deputy Chair since 2025.

Janet is a prominent British academic and former Executive-level leader and an Emeritus Professor of Sustainability and Leadership at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research and teaching specialised in sustainability, corporate social responsibility and organisational leadership. Over a career spanning more than 25 years in higher education and corporate consultancy, she built a reputation for bridging environmental policy with strategic human and organisational management. She has an extensive publication record spanning leadership and sustainability, tourism, food choices and consumer behaviour.

To complement her position at the Peak District National Park Authority, Janet is currently Chair of Board of Trustees at The Land Trust (since 2023) after serving as a trustee since 2017. She is also Chair of the Regional Advisory Group for the National Trust for the North of England (since 2023). She previously served as Chair of Trustees for the EAUC (The Alliance of Sustainability Leadership in Education) promoting institutional sustainability and judging the sector’s Green Gown Awards, and briefly as a trustee for the CPRE (Peak District and South Yorkshire).

Janet Dugdale said: “As Britain’s first National Park the Peak District National Park celebrates its 75th birthday this year, and I am deeply privileged to take up the leadership mantle as Chair during this milestone. Whilst the designation has with no doubt brought great benefit to the Peak District, significant challenges dominate not least climate change, nature recovery and restoration, visitor management and developing thriving, sustainable communities. With members and officers, I am keen to ensure we work towards a bold, positive and resilient future for the Peak District: one that not only we - but the generations that follow - can enjoy and thank us for nurturing on their behalf.”

Previous Vice Chair of Planning, Ginny Priestly, has now been appointed Deputy Chair. Charles Greeves remains Chair of Resources Committee, with Mandy Martin as a new Vice Chair. Mike Chaplin was elected as the new Chair of the Planning Committee with Patrick Brady supporting as Vice Chair.

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