Moorland Association appoints first director

The Moorland Association (MA) has appointed Amanda Anderson as its first ever director. MA chairman Robert Benson welcomed the appointment, saying: “Mrs Anderson is eminently qualified, with expertise in grouse moor management, food, farming, environment and conservation.”

Mrs Anderson, 42, has degrees in aquaculture, zoology, and post-16 education, has lectured at Myerscough College in Lancashire, and has spent the past 14 years managing the MA’s communications. Her new mandate will include looking after more than 850,000 acres of heather moorland, along with the interests of the £67million English grouse shooting industry, which Mrs Anderson sees as central to the work of the MA.

Expressing her delight at being given the role, Mrs Anderson said: “I believe that careful management of heather moorlands, with grouse shooting as the linchpin, can produce the best benefits for wildlife, landscape and local economies.”