Board Member Spotlight: Hilary Harper

Behind the success of the New Forest Marque is a dedicated Board made up of individuals who bring a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and insight to the table. United by a connection to the New Forest and a shared commitment to its producers, they work hard to champion the New Forest Marque.

Long-standing member Hilary Harper has been involved with the New Forest Marque since 2007. Here’s a little bit more about her.

Hilary was born and brought up in rural Dorset and came to the New Forest in 2006 with her family when they bought a small holding in the north-east of the Forest with commoning rights. Hilary has always had a love for the natural world and is keen to embrace all the Forest has to offer. In her ’spare time’ Hilary runs her own niche law firm and is also a Trustee of the New Forest Trust – the New Forest’s conservation charity.

Hilary originally became a member of the Marque when she was producing Forest grazed belted galloway beef and outdoor reared native breed pork at her farm in Plaitford. Even though she no longer has livestock, she remains committed to promoting local produce and producers and was pleased to join the Marque board.

We asked Hilary why she is passionate about the New Forest and supporting local produce?

She said, “It’s always an absolute privilege to walk, or even drive, across the forest, to see at first hand how the landscape has been created and maintained. My family are farmers on the Isle of Man where the longest possible food journey is 33 miles, so supporting local producers has always been important.”

Thank you Hilary for your years of dedication to the New Forest Marque. Your contributions are invaluable.