ORN appoints Paddy Harrop as new Co-Chair

The Outdoor Recreation Network (ORN) is delighted to announce the appointment of Paddy Harrop as its new Co-Chair, strengthening leadership at a pivotal time for the Network as it delivers its Action Plan 2025–2028.

Paddy brings more than 30 years’ experience across land management, outdoor recreation, policy, and partnership working, with senior executive and director-level roles spanning the public, charitable, and voluntary sectors. He currently serves as Central Director, Forestry England, where he oversees 30,000 hectares of land and sites attracting millions of visits each year.

Paddy’s appointment follows an open recruitment process and reflects the breadth of skills set out in the Co-Chair role: providing strategic leadership to the Network, supporting the Executive Committee and Secretariat, championing inclusive access to the outdoors, and ensuring ORN remains resilient, influential, and member focused.

In his vision for ORN, Paddy emphasises growing the value of the Network for members, strengthening cross-sector partnerships (including health, sport, tourism and land management), and ensuring that everyone can engage with the outdoors in ways that support wellbeing, nature recovery, and local economies.

Paddy is no stranger to ORN. His first engagement with the Network dates back to the late 1990s, and he previously served on the Executive Committee, contributing to its strategic direction during a formative period of change. His professional highlights include leading national recreation policy, developing industry-leading visitor safety principles, and forming major partnerships such as the award-winning Active Forests programme with Sport England, alongside collaborations with organisations including the National Trust.

Commenting on the appointment, ORN Co-Chair James Nevitt (Senior Public Access & Recreation Advisor for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation) said:

“I’m thrilled Paddy has accepted the offer of the ORN Co-Chair position. He has a wealth of experience and resonates an authentic passion for the outdoors that clearly feed into his vision for how he can lead ORN further in its growth, deliver its 2025–28 Action Plan and more. Paddy will be a perfect fit for the ORN team, and I look forward to working with him.”

Paddy will formally take up the role at the end of January 2026, taking over from Pippa Langford (Principal Specialist Recreation and Access for Natural England) and will begin meeting members and attending key network events to help ensure ORN continues to grow as a vibrant, collaborative, and influential voice for outdoor recreation.

Below is a short introduction to Paddy and his plans for ORN.