Graham Russell, new Director of Practice at the Commission for Rural Communities, will open the ruralnet|2007 conference, taking place this year at The Belfry on 10-11 October.

Graham is well known for his work on rural best practice and for his community impact work with Business in the Community. He has a strong track record in working at top levels in the business community and government, in local government economic development, and in project development.

With “Rural Futures – Who Cares?” as the theme, this year’s event addresses a spectrum of pressing rural issues, from education and housing to sustainable communities and the impact of carbon reduction measures on rural environments and communities. Taking the conference theme as his title, Mr Russell will speak at the opening plenary session and set the pace for two days of lively networking, discussion and debate.

The ruralnet|uk annual conference is widely recognised as the premier rural development event of the year, and always offers inspiring and innovative sessions to engage and motivate communities and agencies from across Britain. This year, conference delegates will help produce a full-colour Book in Eight Minutes; a snapshot of Britain past and future. The strong environmental theme is reflected across the programme and exhibition and in practical measures such as a car-sharing scheme for delegates and an emphasis on local food for the conference dinner.

Hosted in partnership with Advantage West Midlands, the event will feature sessions on rural renaissance from the heart of the country. The prestigious location, at the home of the famous Belfry golf course, near Sutton Coldfield, is expected to attract over 200 delegates. ruralnet|2007 is supported by Defra, the Post Office, net:gain, and the Academy for Sustainable Communities.

For full details and to book online visit www.ruralnetuk.org/conference