Meet the Team
Details of the RSN team can be found below
Kerry Booth
Chief Executive
Kerry Booth is the Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network (RSN) and a leading voice for rural communities across England. With almost 20 years of experience in local government and rural policy, she brings a rare combination of frontline insight and national influence to her work. Kerry is driven by a strong belief that rural communities deserve fair access to services, opportunities, and resources, and she has dedicated her career to ensuring those voices are heard.
Having worked with the RSN for over a decade, Kerry has played a central role in advocating for rural service providers and shaping national discussions on issues such as rural funding, connectivity, health care access, housing, and the rural economy. She took up the role of Chief Executive in 2023 and now leads RSN’s strategic engagement with local authorities, government departments, and partner organisations.
Kerry represents RSN on national groups including the Rural Coalition, DEFRA’s Rural Impact Forum, the National Rural Crime Network, and the National Alliance for Cultural Services. She also leads RSN’s work as the secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Rural Services, ensuring that rural issues are raised and discussed across Parliament. Kerry is known for her collaborative leadership style, her clarity in communication, and her deep understanding of the challenges and strengths of rural areas. Her background includes a Postgraduate Diploma from Warwick Business School in Local Government Management, and leadership positions in a rural local authority, where she led policy, performance, and improvement across shared services.
Email: kerry.booth@sparse.gov.uk
Connect: LinkedIn
Invite Kerry to your next event: Find out more
Nadine Trout
Assistant Chief Executive
Nadine is the Assistant Chief Executive for the Rural Services Network. She has over 20 years’ management experience working with rural communities in the voluntary sector and local government both in the UK and overseas. She has led a number of award winning council services including tourism and marketing; economic development; locality working; and commissioning. She has also held directorships for destination management and community land trust companies. She now provides support to the Rural Service Network’s wide and varied national membership and is passionate about providing valued services to members and campaigning for a fair deal for rural communities.
Email: nadine.trout@sparse.gov.uk
Maryann MacAulay
Communication and Media Lead
Maryann joined RSN in 2024 as Communication and Media Lead. Maryann has a wealth of experience in championing rural narratives and stakeholder engagement. Her background includes impactful work with community land trusts and an in-depth involvement in media monitoring and digital content dissemination. Maryann is poised to amplify the Rural Service Network’s advocacy for rural services, ensuring that the unique stories of rural life are not only heard but that they are understood.
Email: maryann.macaulay@sparse.gov.uk
Press requests: press@sparse.gov.uk
Richard Inman
Membership Manager
Richard has been a valuable member of the Rural Services Network for over 15 years, and he holds the role of Membership Manager at the RSN. Richard is responsible for both the day-to-day maintenance and updating of the RSN website and the creation and distribution of RSN’s various digital newsletters. Richard also holds the vital role of proactive contact management and facilitating positive customer engagement so organisations can make the most of the RSN membership services. Richard is the first point of contact here at the Rural Services Network.
Email: richard.inman@sparse.gov.uk
Natalie Birch
Administrative Support
Natalie joined RSN in 2024 as Administrative Support Officer and has over 20 years’ experience in Administration and Project Management. Her background includes working with Charities, Churches, Primary Schools, and International companies. Natalie is passionate about advocating for rural services and is currently developing a personal project which aims to support small rural businesses. Natalie enjoys Graphic Design, Photography and video editing and has run her own small design & printing business for 12yrs.
Email: natalie.birch@sparse.gov.uk
Consultants to the Rural Services Network are detailed below:
Graham Biggs
Rural Policy Advisor
Graham has led the RSN since its creation in the early 2000s. For over 20 years he was Chief Executive of the former South Shropshire District Council, one of England’s most sparsely populated districts. He has a wealth of experience in the management and delivery of services across sparsely populated districts. Graham is a Chartered Secretary and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators.
He was awarded an MBE in 1995 for ‘Services to Local Government’. Graham has given evidence to a number of Parliamentary Select Committees relating to the Local Government Funding Formulae and rural policy. He acted as Principal Advisor to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Rural Services for which the RSN provides the Secretariat. He is a Director of the recently formed National Centre for Rural Health and Care and represents the RSN on the Executive Committee of the National Rural Crime Network
Graham stepped down from the role of Chief Executive of the RSN on 1st April 2023, but will continue to support rural communities in the role of a consultant to the organisation, as a Rural Policy Advisor.
Email: graham.biggs@sparse.gov.uk
Andy Dean
Consultant to the RSN
After 20 years developing and leading regeneration, community development, housing and external funding services within rural local authorities, including at Head of Service level within Northumberland County Council and Director at Tynedale District Council, Andy established his own practitioner service in 2011. Andy specialises in working across the private, not-for-profit and public sectors turning policy into delivery and ideas into sustainable projects. Andy leads for the Rural Services Network on external funding, producing the monthly Opportunities Bulletin, economic development and on housing where our partnership with the Rural Housing Alliance provides a real focus for key rural housing issues. Since 2015, Andy has also been part-time Chief Executive at Community Action Northumberland, the Rural Community Council for the area.
Email: andy.dean@sparse.gov.uk