New Leadership Brings Renewed Focus on Research, Education, and Future Rural Landscapes
Alice Mead
Head of The Allerton Project
The Allerton Project is proud to announce the appointment of Alice Mead as its new Head. With an extensive background in sustainable agriculture and regenerative practices, Alice brings over a decade of hands-on experience helping farmers adapt to environmental changes and implement more sustainable, collaborative approaches.
Dr. Alastair Leake, whose 25 years of unwavering commitment have been instrumental to the Project’s success, will continue as Project Director while extending his broader role as Director of Policy for the GWCT. Commenting on the appointment Alastair said:
“The Project’s research and outreach activities have grown substantially in recent years, and with it the number of people involved in our work. I am delighted to hand over the reigns of management to Alice to take the Project forward to the next stage at a both exciting yet challenging time for farming and the environment. There is no better person to take up this challenge!”
A Proven Leader in Sustainable Agriculture
Alice Mead has spent more than a decade working in the agricultural sector, guiding farmers in their transition to environmentally responsible practices. Before joining The Allerton Project nearly three years ago, she spent seven years with LEAF, where she played a key role in uniting stakeholders and championing the benefits of regenerative agriculture and integrated farming. During her time at LEAF, Alice collaborated closely with The Allerton Project, sharing her expertise to expand innovative research methods across a wider network of farmers and land managers.
Her diverse experience also includes working with the Small Robot Company, where she explored the future of farming through technological innovation, and with the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, where she contributed to piloting a Land Use Framework in Cambridgeshire—an initiative that assessed land use at a landscape scale to support sustainable rural development. Alice has an MBA from Cranfield University and an MSc in Environmental Sciences in a Changing Climate from Warwick.
Leadership at The Allerton Project
Since joining as Assistant Manager in 2022, Alice has played a pivotal role in overseeing daily operations, improving communication across teams, and delivering training and educational initiatives. A passionate advocate for knowledge exchange, she has worked closely with Alastair to strengthen the Project’s research outreach and operational efficiency.
“I’m thrilled to take on the role of Head at such a pivotal time,” says Alice Mead. “With a brilliant team and many exciting new projects on the horizon, I look forward to driving forward our work—developing new initiatives, filling knowledge gaps, and enhancing communication so that our research leads to tangible improvements on farms and in the broader countryside. Our work is critical; as weather patterns shift and farming challenges grow, nature must recover, and our land must do more for everyone.”
About The Allerton Project
The Allerton Project is a leading UK charity conducting conservation science on a 320-hectare demonstration farm in Leicestershire. For over 90 years, we have researched and developed game and wildlife management techniques to enhance the British countryside for public benefit. Our work examines the effects of different farming methods on wildlife and the environment, with findings shared through advisory and educational activities.
Our research spans a wide range of innovative practices—from natural capital accounting and agri-environment schemes to regenerative farming systems—that deliver multiple benefits for rural landscapes. By improving soil health, water quality, woodland, and environmental habitats, we aim to build resilience in farmland ecosystems. Our research team collaborates with other organisations and co-supervises numerous PhD and MSc projects. Visitors to The Allerton Project include businesses, policymakers, NGOs, regulators, farmers, advisors, students, and schools.
Looking to the Future
Under Alice’s leadership, The Allerton Project will continue to expand its research and educational outreach, fostering collaborations that drive real-world change in farming and land management. As challenges like climate change, food security, and land use intensify, The Allerton Project stands committed to shaping a future where farming and conservation work hand in hand to create thriving rural landscapes for generations to come.
