15 Minutes With… Kerry Booth, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network

What does it really take to champion rural communities at a national level — and are policymakers actually listening?

In this episode, we sit down with Kerry Booth, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, the national body representing over 450 rural local authorities and service providers across England. Kerry shares her journey from frontline local government to leading the RSN, and makes a compelling case for why rural communities deserve far more than an afterthought in national policy.

We discuss the stark funding gap that sees urban councils receive a third more in government spending power per head than their rural counterparts, why so many Whitehall departments still struggle to understand the realities of rural life, and what genuine rural proofing should look like in practice. Kerry also sets out the enormous untapped potential of the rural economy — estimated at £19 billion in additional Treasury contributions with the right policy interventions — and explains why devolution could be a double-edged sword for rural communities.

A wide-ranging, honest, and essential conversation for anyone working at the intersection of policy, place, and public services.

How can a career in music management, working with acts like Busted, provide the skills to run a 2,500-acre rural estate?

CLA Vice President Eliza Ecclestone sits down with Tristan Lillingston, from the Thorpe Estate, to discuss how he transitioned from a career in music management to taking the reins of his family's rural estate.

Tristan, who is hosting the CLA Next Generation Conference at the estate in April, talks candidly about the gradual nature of succession, working alongside his father, and how he found himself learning on the job by simply showing up and listening. He explains how his background in the music industry - where protecting your rights and thinking long-term are everything - turned out to be surprisingly good preparation for estate management.

We also hear about his priorities when he first got involved: building a brand identity, launching a wedding venue and opening the estate to the public for the first time - and yes, that includes a few stories about badly behaved wedding guests.

Whether you're approaching succession yourself or simply curious about what it takes to run a rural estate in the 21st century, Tristan offers honest, practical and at times amusing insights into life at the helm.

In this episode of 15 Minutes With, CLA Vice President Eliza Ecclestone sits down with Will Bax — Secretary and Keeper of the Records at the Duchy of Cornwall. Will shares the story behind one of England's oldest institutions, from its founding in 1337 to its modern-day mission spanning 130,000 acres, 200+ tenant farms, and ambitious community-building projects like Poundbury. They discuss the Duchy's commitment to regenerative agriculture and net zero, how long-term stewardship shapes decision-making in an era of unprecedented volatility, and what needs to change in planning policy to build beautiful, sustainable communities. A fascinating look at where heritage meets the future of rural Britain.