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.
Speaking at Events
Kerry is a confident and engaging speaker with experience presenting at national conferences, parliamentary events, and sector forums. Whether contributing to high-level policy discussions or community-focused events, she brings practical insight, strategic thinking, and a strong commitment to improving outcomes for rural people.
She speaks on a wide range of rural issues, including:
- Rural fair funding and public service delivery
- Economic growth and support
- Planning, housing, and sustainable rural development
- Health and social care in remote communities
- Rural transport, mobility and connectivity
- Digital inclusion and broadband access
- Rural roles in achieving net zero and climate goals
Kerry is passionate about creating opportunities for collaboration and often uses speaking engagements to foster dialogue and spark new ideas. Her talks balance data, policy insight, and real-world stories from rural communities.
Email: [email protected]
Connect: LinkedIN
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