After a long career in scholarly and scientific publishing, finishing as Chief Executive of Blackwell Publishing, Rene has served as chair in succession of Tubney Charitable Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. He is currently Chair of both the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals and the National Trust. He was a member of the government’s Culture Recovery Board during the pandemic and is currently a member of DCMS’ Culture and Heritage Capital Board.

Photo credit: National Trust Images/Clive Nichols