David Bence elected Chair of New Forest National Park Authority

24 Oct 2023 - Hearty congratulations to MCDOA member David Bence on being elected as the new Chair of the New Forest National Park Authority.

The organisation’s website contains this article.

“David has been an Authority member since January 2018 and was elected Chair at the Authority’s AGM on 19 October.

Born in Somerset and now living in Hampshire, David has been visiting the New Forest since childhood with his family connection to the area going back to WW2.

David joined the Authority after a full and varied 30-year career in the Royal Navy where he commanded at all levels and operated across the full spectrum of maritime and joint operations. Having worked in the defence industry and as a strategic consultant he now works as a freelance unexploded ordnance mitigation specialist with an interest in evolving that activity to minimise impacts on the environment. He has a love of the outdoors and nature and is passionate about conserving our natural flora and fauna and the rural way of life. A ‘lockdown’ sourdough baker he has recently taken up bee keeping and home-made charcuterie.

David will continue to be deputy chair of the Authority’s Resources, Audit and Performance Committee, as well as representing the Authority on a number of national and regional organisations and remains Chair of the Forest Farming Group.”

David Bence (right) being presented with the US Legion of Honour by Capt Andy Lamb OBE RN on 24 Nov 2017