Ms Mander, who has been a member of the authority since September 2020, was deputy chair since October 2023. She was elected as chair at the board meeting on Thursday, October 16. She founded Vision Wild in 2018, an organisation that supports charities and land managers in nature conservation projects. Ms Mander said: "The New Forest National Park is an extraordinary place for nature, while also being home to 34,000 residents and welcoming millions of visitors each year. Keith Mans, who represents Brockenhurst, was elected as deputy chair.