SUE ALBION APPOINTED CHAIR OF NATIONAL PARKS PARTNERSHIPS BOARD
- Sue Albion, Group Director of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at Flutter Entertainment Plc, joined the NPP board in 2021.
- A qualified solicitor, Sue Albion brings over 20 years’ experience working across commercial legal matters, including sponsorship, corporate affairs and sustainability.
- Outgoing Chair Catherine Hawkins takes on the interim role of NPP Chief Executive while a recruitment process for a permanent Chief Executive continues.
National Parks Partnerships (NPP) has appointed Sue Albion, Group Director of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at Flutter Entertainment Plc, as its new Chair of the Board. Her term will begin on the 1 September 2025.
Sue has been an NPP Board member since 2021 and brings extensive expertise in sustainability, corporate responsibility, and cross-sector collaboration. At Flutter – a global FTSE 100 company – she leads the organisation’s Positive Impact Plan, driving environmental strategy, regulatory affairs, and social responsibility programmes across multiple international markets. She has previously held senior roles in retail and manufacturing, building partnerships that deliver measurable social and environmental benefits.
Sue Albion commented: “I am honoured to be taking on the role of Chair of National Parks Partnerships. Having served on the board as a Non-Executive Director for the past four years, I have seen first-hand the growth and evolution of National Parks Partnerships and been inspired by the work undertaken to support and protect our fifteen National Parks. The UK National Parks are iconic inspiring spaces that are leading vital action to restore nature, support communities and protect one of our most valuable legacies for future generations. I am privileged to be working with a talented team and look forward to building on the terrific foundations established under Catherine Hawkins’ leadership.”
NPP was established in 2016 to connect the fifteen UK National Parks with companies, investors, and environmental funders. By forging strategic partnerships, NPP enables the National Parks to deliver vital action on nature recovery, climate resilience, and community engagement. These protected landscapes cover almost 10% of Great Britain, store the equivalent of one-third of the UK’s annual CO₂ emissions, and attract over 90 million visitors each year – but they face mounting environmental and funding pressures.
Partnerships brokered by NPP have already delivered tangible results through collaborations with brands such as BMW UK, Vodafone, Santander UK, and Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. Projects range from restoring peatlands and expanding woodlands to developing innovative green finance models, such as the Revere: Investing in Nature programme with global impact firm, Palladium.
The NPP Management Board comprises National Park representatives and non-executive directors. Sue is joined by:
- Gavin Capstick – CEO, Lake District National Park Authority
- Dr Briony Fox – Director of Conservation, North York Moors National Park Authority
- Neil Heseltine – Member, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority
- Justin Keeble – Managing Director of Global Sustainability, Google Cloud
- Vanessa Mahoney – Change and Communications Executive, V E Mahoney Ltd
- Catherine Mealing-Jones – CEO, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority
- Grant Moir – CEO, Cairngorms National Park Authority
Outgoing Chair Catherine Hawkins, who steps into the interim Chief Executive role while recruitment is underway, said: “I’m delighted to congratulate Sue Albion as the new Chair of National Parks Partnerships. During my term, we’ve seen the organisation grow, progress, and amplify its impact for National Park Authorities, people, and nature. I’m confident Sue will take this momentum forward, championing our National Parks and the extraordinary benefits they bring to the nation.”
Ends