Who We Are

I have lived in Leicestershire all my life and my love of the local countryside started at an early age. I have precious memories of time spent with family and friends in Bradgate Park, Swithland Wood, Beacon Hill and other delightful places around the city and county. From the freshness of spring, the warmth of summer, the renewal of autumn, to the crispness of picture postcard winters.

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Our Leicestershire countryside faces substantial challenges, but the rewards for its protection and enhancement will leave a legacy that future generations can cherish. I am honoured to be Chair and it is a privilege to work with Trustees and Members and to collaborate with partners and the wider community, so we can all make positive progress for our countryside.

Tony joined CPRE in 2017 and became Honorary Treasurer soon afterwards. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has worked within Finance for the NHS since 2005, but his passion is the preservation of the countryside of his beloved Leicestershire.

He is a keen cyclist, and his travels have taken him all over the county, making it clear to him that the natural environment is under threat from development and needs to be protected.

Having stood down as Treasurer in 2023 after six years in the role, as required by the Branch Constitution, he was reappointed in January 2025.

Before I retired, I used to be a Chartered Civil Engineer with a career embracing transport and planning, and I am concerned about the lack of integration between the two.

I have visited many parts of the UK, and I am constantly amazed at its hugely varied and enjoyable countryside and am keen to help ensure it is not wasted.

We must reduce our adverse impact on the countryside to help the environment and tackle Climate Change.

I was born in Leicester and grew up in the city centre. My primary school teacher, to whom I shall be eternally grateful, introduced all of us to the countryside, and I have been passionate about the countryside around us and how precious it is.

I recently became a trustee so I could help and do more to help the cause. I am a full-time working mum with 2 young girls, a dog, cat & plenty of fish – in the pond…

With extensive experience of over 27 years in business growth, marketing, tech, HR and operations, I feel privileged to be working with CPRE Leicestershire to drive new initiatives to see its success over the coming years. This is a very important charity that connects people with the beautiful countryside of Leicestershire.

I am a strong believer in community and as I spend many of my days walking in the Leicestershire countryside, it is clear there is a large population here that appreciates it and are motivated together to effect positive, local, changes that will perpetuate. I am passionate about conservation, encouraging nature and wild spaces and have been studying hard and taking action to do everything I can within my own environment and sharing the knowledge I gain.

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(pictured with my favourite walking buddy)

Ryan Astill was born in Leicester and has lived in the county all his life. He is an RTPI chartered town planner, and also director and owner of Astill Planning Consultants Ltd, a multidisciplinary firm of planning consultants and architects with offices in Leicester and Kent. 

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Ryan received his Master’s Degree in Town and Country Planning from the University of the West of England. 

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With the combination of his educational background, work experience, and professional practice, Ryan will be ideally placed to offer key guidance and expertise to CPRE in all things planning. He will be an integral member of the Planning Committee being established by new Planning Manager Paul Barber, and his skills will complement those of his fellow trustees and the Executive Team.