Kate is the Director of the Carnegie Rural Community Development Programme, leading on Commision and the Rural Action Research Programme.Kate was previously Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Cumbria – the Rural Community Council for the County. With a staff of over 60, she was responsible for the delivery of innovative rural development programmes including Rural Women’s Network, Enterprising Communities (social enterprise support), hosting a LEADER+ programme and work with hill farming communities. Kate chaired Carlisle and Eden Local Strategic Partnership and the Voluntary Sector North West – the regional voluntary and community sector network. She was also a member of Rural Regeneration Cumbria Board with responsibility for socio-economic programmes. Kate has achieved a PhD at Newcastle University – Centre for Rural Economy which was about rural women's networks (Ireland, Sweden and UK.) She has also been awarded a MBE in Millennium Honours for services to rural communities.
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